184 THE SHORE LARK. 



Attractive Qualities. — The song of the titlark, though short, and 

 composed of only three strains mixed with shakes and trills, is neverthe- 

 less very pleasing. It sings from the end of March to July, either from 

 the top of a tree, where it is perched, or when rising perpendicularly in the 

 air, wlicre it remains a few minutes and then quietly descends, almost 

 alvvays to the same place. As it alights it repeats several times '■'' tzia, 

 tzia, tzia.^^ In the house it begins to sing a month earlier. It pleases 

 also by its pretty ways ; its step is somewhat grave, and the tail is in per- 

 petual motion : it is always very clean and trim. 



THE FIELD PIPIT 



Anthus campestris, Bechstein ; La Spipolette, Buffon ; Die Brachpicper, 

 Bechstein. 



In figure it is more slender than the sky-lark ; the plumage 

 resembles that of the crested lark, and the form that of the 

 titlark. Its length is six inches and a half. The beak is strong 

 and long, the line above the eyes distinctly marked, the breast 

 yellowish white, with but few rays or lines. In summer it 

 frequents marshy woods, in autumn the edges of the fields, 

 high roads, and meadows, where it may be easily caught with 

 the night-net. Its only known song is its constant cry " tsirru " 

 and '■'• datsida" while revolving in the air. It departs in Sep- 

 tember and returns in April. Its food is the same as that of 

 the titlark ; it also requires the same treatment when in con- 

 finement if it should be wished to keep it, but it has no qua- 

 lities to make this desirable. 



THE SHORE LARK. 



Alauda alpestris, Linn^us ; Aloiiette Haussecol noir, ou Alouefte de Virginie, 

 Buffon ; Die Berglerche, Bechstein. 



This species is seven inches long, rather stronger than the 

 field pipit, and has the same plumage on the upper part of the 

 body ; but the throat is light yellow, as well as the rest of the 

 under part of the neck, over which and the top of the breast 

 passes a black band, which in the lower part is shaped like a 

 horse-shoe. The beak, feet, and claws, are black. 



Obskrvations. — This species properly inhabits the north as well of Eu- 

 rope as of America, as far as Virginia ; but in the winter it appears in 



