544 MY GARDEN. 



There are abundance of Sky-larks (Alauda arvensis, fig. 1172) 

 " gay lark of hope " on the downs, but they rarely appear in our 

 garden, to rejoice us with their " heaven-gate " song. 



" Soon as Aurora lights the dawn, 



The lark, at early hour, 

 Carols forth the rosy morn 



High from its heavenward tower." ANON. 



The speciality of the lark is to sing when upon the wing, so that 

 another poet well observes : 



" Higher still, and higher, 



From the earth thou springest : 

 Like a cloud of fire 



The blue deep thou wingest, 

 And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest." 



SHELLEY. 



Vast flocks of these birds cross over after snow, and fly in a south- 

 west direction. The winter of 1870-71 was especially remarkable for the 

 number and size of the flocks. The Wood-lark (Alauda arbor ed] has 

 been heard about the place, but I have never observed it, though I have 



FIG. 1172. -Skylark. 



heard its delightful note in the county, both at Richmond Park and at 

 Weybridge. Its rich, melodious, although by no means varied song is 

 very exciting to some people, and there are many persons in 

 London who are never without wood-larks, the song of which 

 greatly delights me as I traverse the London streets. 



The Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis) lives in our field. At least 

 three species of Wagtail frequent my garden. The Pied Wagtail 

 (Motacilla Yarrclli, fig. 1173) is our common species ; the Grey-bearded 



