FINCH TRIBE ; SKY-LARK. 



431 



FIG. 231. HEAD OF SKY-LARK. 



is rather with this family (Fig. 231). This delightful songster 



is very widely spread over 

 Europe, Asia, and the north 

 of Africa. Its favourite lo- 

 calities are extensive arable 

 lands and open meadows ; 

 but it also frequents wild 

 mountain pastures. Its foot 

 is of peculiar construction, 

 being remarkable for the 

 great length of the claws, 

 especially of the hinder one ; 

 by this it is adapted to walk 

 over uneven surfaces, and to spring from the ground to a height 

 sufficient to cause the wings to act. This conformation destroys 

 the perching characters of the foot ; and in fact the Larks reside 

 but little among 

 trees, and merely 

 stand upon the 

 branches as 



points of obser- 

 vation. Their 

 food consists of 

 insects, worms, 

 grains, and other 

 seeds ; the leaves 



of the clover and of various wild plants ; and they are of con- 

 siderable service to the farmer, in destroying much that would 

 be injurious to him. The clear and animated song of the Sky- 

 Lark is mostly uttered whilst the Bird is rising spirally in the 

 air ; but it sometimes sings while resting on the ground. Con- 

 trary to the usual habit of the Insessores, the nest of the 

 Sky-Lark is placed upon the ground ; and is very rudely put 

 together. 



389. The Tanagers constitute a very interesting subdivision 

 of this family, peculiar to the New World ; where they may be 

 considered as representing the Finches, &c., of Europe and Asia. 



FIG. 232 FOOT OF SKY-LARK. 



