72 BIRDS OF MIDDLESEX. 



well drawn, but so inaccurately coloured that, but 

 for the description, we should have supposed it 

 represented another species." 



Family ALAUDIDJE. 



SKY LARK, Alauda arvensis. Common resident, 

 and one of the earliest birds to commence singing 

 in the spring. I have found the eggs as early as 

 April 4th. 



One day in May, a Sky Lark's nest was found on 

 Primrose Hill, containing four eggs. The previous 

 day being Sunday, and the hill as usual crowded 

 with people, it is curious that the nest should have 

 escaped detection, and that the hen bird should have 

 continued to visit the nest and lay. 



Larks only pair for the breeding season. When 

 that is ended, they begin to flock, and by the end of 

 autumn may be seen congregated in great numbers. 



WOOD LARK, Anthus arborea. Kesident through- 

 out the year, but nowhere common in the county. 



Mr. Thompson, in his ' Birds of Ireland,' says that 

 the Wood Lark is seldom found upon the clay ; it 

 prefers a warmer soil. It is noticeable that the 

 soil in Middlesex is chiefly clay, and that the Wood 

 Lark in this county is rare. At one time this bird 

 might usually be found in the neighbourhood of 

 Barn Hill, a woody height overlooking the parishes 

 of Kingsbury, Willesden, and Harrow. But London 



