THE WOODLARK. 109 



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The Woodlark. 

 Alauda Lulu. CUVIER. Alauda Arborea. LINN. 



WHILE the skylarks delight in the open fields, 

 and fear not that the winds of heaven will visit 

 them too roughly, the woodlarks, on the con- 

 trary, seek the pleasant shelter of the wood-side, 

 and pour forth their songs from beneath its 

 shade ; they often sing also on the wing like the 

 skylark. It is not only during the bright hours 

 of day that their strains resound ; at set of sun, 

 and even far into the night, in hot summer wea- 

 ther, they are heard singing in the air. 



" What time the timorous hare limps forth to feed, 

 When the scared owl skims round the grassy mead ; 

 Then high in air, and poised upon his wings, 

 Unseen the soft enamoured woodlark sings." 



These birds are found in Siberia, Poland, 

 Germany, Holland, Italy, parts of France and 

 Spain, and in England. Early in the spring 

 we hear them warbling together in great num- 

 bers ; as the season advances, their songs become 

 more full and sweet, and they pair, and separate, 



