THE SPARROW KIND. 271 



seen ; to see it then descending with a swell as it 

 comes from the clouds, yet sinking by degrees as 

 it approaches its nest, the spot where all its affec- 

 tions are centered, the spot that has prompted 

 all this joy. 



The lark builds its nest upon the ground, be- 

 neath some turf that serves to hide and shelter it. 

 The female lays four or five eggs, of a dusky hue 

 in colour, somewhat like those of a plover. It is 

 while she is sitting that the male thus usually 

 entertains her with his singing ; and while he is 

 risen to an imperceptible height, yet he still hag 

 his loved partner in his eye, nor once loses sight 

 of the nest, either while he ascends or is des- 

 cending. This harmony continues several months, 

 beginning early in the spring on pairing. In 

 winter they assemble in flocks, when their song 

 forsakes them, and the bird-catchers destroy them 

 in great numbers for the tables of the luxurious. 



The Black-cap and the Wren, though so very 

 diminutive, are yet prized by some for their sing- 

 ing. The former is called by some the mock 

 nightingale ; and the latter is admired for the 

 loudness of its note, compared to the little body 

 from whence it issues. It must be confessed, 

 that this disproportion between the voice of a 

 bird and its size, in some measure demands our 

 wonder. Quadrupeds in this respect may be 

 considered as mutes to them. The peacock is 

 louder than the lion, and the rabbit is not so loud 

 as the wren. But it must be considered that 

 birds are very differently formed ; their lungs, in 

 some measure, are extended through their whole 



