WOOD-LARK. INSESSORES. ALAUDA. 277 



The eggs are four 'or five in number, of a pale wood-brown 

 colour, marked with blotches of grey and brown. These 

 birds do not congregate in flocks during the winter, like the 

 preceding species, but seem to remain in families during that 

 period, seldom being observed in a greater number than from 

 five to seven together. 



They are found throughout the greater part of Europe, 

 and extend as far to the northward as Sweden and Russia ; 

 in these places they are migratory, but continue stationary 

 in the more southern parts of the Continent. If the weather 

 is favourable, they begin to sing very soon after Christmas. 



PLATE 50. Fig. 2. Natural size. 



Bill brownish-black, with the base of the lower mandible General 

 yellowish- white. Irides brown. Above the eyes is a 

 yellowish-white streak, better defined than that of the 

 Sky-Lark. Ear-coverts yellowish-brown. Cheeks yel- 

 lowish-white. Feathers upon the crown of the head 

 long, brownish-black, edged with pale yellowish-brown. 

 Upper parts the same, but the feathers not so triangular 

 in shape as those of the Sky- Lark. Lower parts pale 

 straw-yellow, spotted upon the neck and breast with 

 black. Wing-coverts tipped with white. Tail shorter 

 than that of the Sky-Lark; the two middle feathers 

 brown, the outer ones black, with white tips. Legs 

 flesh-red, with a tinge of yellowish-brown. Hind claw 

 very long, and nearly straight. 



The female resembles the male bird. 



