ADDITIONAL NOTICES. 225 



compared to hymns and acts of adoration and praise. 

 No bird sings with more method : there is an over- 

 ture performed, vivace crescendo, while the singer as- 

 cends ; when at the full height, the song becomes 

 moderate, and distinctly divided into short passages, 

 each repeated three or four times over, like & fantasia, 

 in the same key and time. If there be any wind, he 

 rises perpendicularly by bounds, and afterwards 

 poises himself with breast opposed to it. If calm, he 

 ascends in spiral circles ; in horizontal circles during 

 the principal part of his song ; and zig-zagly down- 

 wards during the performance of the finale. Some- 

 times, after descending about half way, he ceases to 

 sing, and drops with the velocity of an arrow to the 

 ground. Those acquainted with the song of the sky- 

 lark can tell, without looking at them, whether the 

 birds be ascending or stationary in the air, or on their 

 descent ; so different is the style of song in each case. 

 In the first there is an expression of ardent impa- 

 tience ; in the second, an andante composure, in which 

 rests of a bar at a time frequently occur ; and in the 

 last, a gradual sinking of the strains, often touching 

 the sub-dominant before the final close. The time 

 and number of the notes often correspond with the 

 vibrations of the wings ; and though they sometimes 

 sing while on the ground, as they are seen to do in 

 cages, their whole frame seems to be agitated by their 

 musical efforts." Ibid. 



THE WOODLARK. 



" This bird, though it mostly lives and breeds on 

 the ground, often sits on trees ; hence its specific 



