110 TH TURTLE DOVE, LAV K. 



all attempts to reclaim it have hitherto proved ineffectual. 

 At the commencement of winter, this species desists from 

 cooing ; but they pair again about the beginning of March. 



THE TURTLE-DOVE. 



This beautiful little bird is found in several parts of 

 England, but particularly in the western counties. It feeds 

 on a variety of vegetable substances ; and, being remark- 

 ably shy, breeds only in the most retired situations. Its 

 faithful attachment to its mate has been proverbial in every 

 age ; and, if we may credit vulgar tradition, when either 

 of them pays the debt of nature, the survivor remains in a 

 state of disconsolate solitude to the end of its life. 



THE LARK. 



With this sweet songster, universally considered as har- 

 binger of the spring, and herald of the morn, so many 

 delectable ideas are connected, that few birds are more 

 universal favourites of mankind. There are various 

 species, such as the common or sky-lark, the wood-lark, the 

 tit-lark, and the field-lark ; but all the family is musical. 

 The sky-lark is too well known to require a particular des- 

 cription of its form. This species, and the wood-lark, are 

 the only birds that sing as they poise themselves in the 

 regions of ether. The former begins its song before the 

 earliest dawn ; nor can any thing be more agreeable to the 

 lover of nature, than to behold it warbling on the wing, 

 and to hear it raise its notes as it soars, till it seems lost in 

 immense heights above him. And, to see it afterwards 

 descending with a swell, and sinking gradually as it 

 approaches its nest, the spot where all its delights are 

 centered, fills the heart of sensibility and intellectual re- 

 finement with inexpressible satisfaction and delight. 



The lark builds her nest on the ground, lays four or five 

 eggs, and commonly produces her young about the begin- 

 ning of May. While she is performing the office of incu- 

 bation, the male usually entertains her with his song, and, 

 though he rises to an imperceptible height, never once 

 loses sight of his beloved partner. This harmony con- 

 tinues for several months. In winter, however, larks, in 



