SKY LARK. 451 



five or six feet of the window, outside which the aviary 

 is constructed, and through which window, when open, 

 many of them come into the room to him. The degree of 

 perfection with which they are managed, and the total 

 absence of any influence of fear or restraint on their ha- 

 bits, may be learned by the fact that in the summer of 

 1836, a pair of Sky Larks produced four sets of eggs; in 

 1837 the same pair produced three sets of eggs, and reared 

 some of their young ; and this year, three females had, 

 each of them, a nest and eggs. The materials for build- 

 ing are sought for and carried by the male bird to the spot 

 selected for the intended nest, near which the female re- 

 mains to assist in arranging them. During the period of 

 producing the eggs, the female has occasionally been heard 

 to sing with a power and variety of tone equal to the voice of 

 her mate. The male Sky Lark, though at other times timid, 

 is, while his female is sitting, bold and pugnacious ; driving 

 every other bird away that ventures too near his charge, 

 both watching and feeding her with unceasing solicitude. 

 To supply the quantity of insect food necessary during sum- 

 mer, the maggots of the flesh-fly, and the beetle, so com- 

 mon in most kitchens, are principally resorted to. 



Sky Larks constantly dust themselves, appearing to take 

 great pleasure in the operation, shuffling and rubbing them- 

 selves along the ground, setting up their feathers, and by 

 a peculiar action of the legs and wings throwing the 

 smaller and looser portions of the soil over every part of 

 their bodies. This is supposed to be done in order to rid 

 themselves of small parasitic insects. Many ground birds, 

 such as Quails and Partridges, are observed to be invete- 

 rate dusters, their terrestrial habits probably exposing 

 them to the constant attacks of minute but very trouble- 

 some visitors. From the number of male Sky Larks sold 



GO 2 



