274 INSESSORES. ALAUDA. SKY-LARK. 



height from whence it comes, and a bright and cloudless 

 morning, produces a striking effect. 



It sings as it rises perpendicularly in a spiral direction, 

 and frequently reaches to such a height as to become invi- 

 sible. Its descent is usually oblique, but it sometimes drops 

 perpendicularly, and with great rapidity, from its aerial sta- 

 tion. It commences its song of invitation early in the 

 spring, at which time, and during the greater part of the 

 summer, it continues to enliven our fields with its notes of 

 joy, from the first dawn of morning, and at intervals through 

 the day. It constructs its nest about the latter part of April, 

 or the beginning of May, and its first brood is, in general, 

 fully fledged by the end of June. A second family is usu- 

 Nest, &c. ally produced, which is able to fly in August. The nest, 

 composed of different vegetable stalks, and lined with fine 

 dry grasses, is placed upon the ground amongst the corn or 

 herbage ; and contains four or five eggs, of a greenish- white 

 colour, spotted with clove or purplish-brown. 



Upon the approach of winter, Larks begin to collect in 

 immense flocks, quitting the more elevated parts of the coun- 

 try, where they were dispersed during the breeding season, 

 and resorting to the coasts and more southern cultivated dis- 

 tricts of our island. At this season they are fat ; and being 

 considered a delicacy, are in consequence taken in great 

 quantities, by nets and other devices. From the neighbour- 

 hood of Dunstable, vast numbers are annually sent to the 

 London market, where, at the present period, they produce 

 Food, from 3s. to 4s. per dozen. The food of the Lark consists 

 of grain and other seeds ; but, in the summer, it also obtains 

 insects and worms. It walks and runs with facility, and 

 does not use the hopping motion. Its flight is easy and 

 undulating, and is very unlike that of the Pipits, which 

 were, till lately, associated with this genus. It is reared in 

 confinement without much difficulty, and sings almost 

 throughout the year. A piece of fresh turf is usually placed 

 in the cage, and occasionally renewed, on which it takes 



