BIRDS OF GUERNSEY. 69 



Eonceval ; it was within arm's length of the road, 

 and seemed exposed to every possible danger. 

 When we found it, on the 15th of June, there were 

 five eggs in it, fresh, or, at all events, only just sat 

 on, as I took one and blew it for one of my 

 daughters. On the 19th we again visited the nest ; 

 there were then four young ones in it, but they 

 were so wonderfully like the dry grass which sur- 

 rounded the nest in colour that it was more difficult 

 to find it then than when the eggs were in it, and 

 except for the young birds moving as they breathed 

 I think we should not have found it a second time. 

 A few days after July the 3rd there was very 

 heavy rain all night. Next day we thought the 

 Sky Larks must be drowned (had they been 

 Partridges under the care of a keeper they would 

 have been), but as it was only one was washed out 

 of the nest and drowned ; the rest were all well and 

 left the nest a few days after. So in spite of the 

 exposed situation close to a frequented road, on a 

 bit of common ground where goats and cows were 

 tethered, nets and seaweed, or " vraic," as it is 

 called in Guernsey, spread for drying, dogs, cats, 

 and children continually wandering about, and 

 without any shelter from rain, the old birds brought 

 off three young from their five eggs. 



The Sky Lark is mentioned in Professor Ansted's 

 list as occurring only in Guernsey and Sark. It is, 

 however, quite as common in Alderney and Herm. 

 There is no specimen in the Museum. 



