K)4 BRITISH BIRDS. 



(M fljc ~arfc. 



AMONG the various kinds of singing birds with 

 which this country abounds, there is none more 

 eminently conspicuous than those of the Lark 

 kind. Instead of retiring to woods and deep re- 

 cesses, or lurking in thickets, where it may be 

 heard without being seen, they are generally seen 

 abroad in the fields ; it is the only bird which 

 ch aunts on the wing, and while it soars beyond 

 the reach of our sight, pours forth the most me- 

 lodious strains, which may be distinctly heard at 

 an amazing distance. 



From the peculiar construction of the hinder 

 claws, which are very long and straight, Larks 

 generally rest upon the ground; those which fre- 

 quent trees perch only on the larger branches. 

 They all build their nests upon the ground, which 

 exposes them to the depredations of the smaller 

 kinds of voracious animals, such as the weazel, 

 stoat, &c., which destroy great numbers of them. 

 The general characters of this genus are thus 

 described : The bill is straight and slender, 

 bending a little towards the end, which is sharp- 

 pointed; the nostrils are partly covered with fea- 

 thers and bristles ; the tongue is cloven at the 

 end; tail somewhat forked; the toes divided to the 

 origin ; claw of the hinder toe very long, and 

 almost straight ; the fore claws very short, and 

 -slightly curved. 



