THE WOOD LARK 



ALAUDA ARBOREA 



LOCAL names in surrounding counties : 



STATUS IN BRITISH AVIFAUNA : A local resident in 

 England, especially in the southern and midland counties ; 

 very rare in Scotland, and exceptionally local in Ireland. 



RADIAL DISTRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 

 PAUL'S : There is much evidence to suggest that the 

 Wood Lark was a by no means rare bird within the Metro- 

 politan area years ago. Unfortunately the bird-catcher 

 and the builder have both done their best to exterminate 

 it, and it is doubtful if there are any localities at all close to 

 London which the Wood Lark frequents. It is sometimes 

 met with at Wimbledon, and was found breeding at 

 Kingston upwards of twenty years ago. It formerly 

 frequented the Epping area, but seems to be extinct or 

 nearly so there now, thanks entirely, very likely, to the 

 persecution of bird-catchers. There are many likely 

 haunts for the Wood Lark in Surrey within our limits, and 

 where the dry, sandy soil which the species seems every- 

 where to desire is eminently suited to it, but I know of 

 no place where the bird is at all common. It is excessively 

 local nowadays everywhere in the Metropolitan area, 

 but is of more frequent occurrence during autumn and 

 winter, when the species is more addicted to wandering 

 from its usual haunts. 



The habits of a species so rare within our limits require 

 but little detailed notice in the present volume. There 

 is much in the ways of the Wood Lark (which may be 

 readily recognised in the air by its short tail) resembling 

 the habits of the Tree Pipit. The Wood Lark is by no 

 means a bird of the open fields, but loves to resort to 

 spots where trees are abundant, the well-timbered parks 

 and pastures, the borders of woods and plantations. 



