46 BIRDS OF THE HTJMBER DISTRICT. 



19th of February, 1870. It is not unlikely that the 

 males and females in this species, like the Chaffinch, 

 separate into distinct flocks during the winter. Those 

 killed in England at this season are almost invariably 

 males ; and out of fifty shot by the late Mr. Wheel- 

 wright near Quickiock, Lapland, on their first arrival 

 in the spring, with one exception all were males. 



78. ALAUDA ARVENSIS, Linnseus. Sky -Lark. 



Common and resident throughout the year. Im- 

 mense flocks arrive in East Yorkshire and Lincoln- 

 shire from the continent from the middle of September 

 to the end of October. Migrates in small flocks during 

 the day, also in the night. I have, when on the coast 

 in the autumn, noticed, hour after hour, little com- 

 panies of Larks coming in from the sea, flying but a 

 few feet above the surface and also when at sea 

 during the night recognized their familiar notes. 

 Larks at this season are often killed by dashing at 

 night against the lanterns of Spurn and Flamborough, 

 These immigrants collect in immense flocks on the 

 marsh stubbles and pastures, but on the first really 

 severe weather, or when the supply of food becomes 

 exhausted, they retire further south *. In the winter 



* In the first week of December 1863, preceding the advent 

 of some very wild and stormy weather, an extraordinary flight 

 of Larks arrived in the Great-Cotes marshes, but only remained 

 for two or three days. During this time the tract of land 

 immediately adjoining the river, stubble and pasture lands alike, 

 was quite covered with their immense flocks. 



