92 ALAUDIN.E. 



nature would appear to have neglected, and left destitute of 

 any attractions. To which we might answer, she has done so, 

 but only to lavish all her resources in enriching them with a 

 matchless and over- compensating melody. To this class be- 

 long the unrivalled songsters of every clime : the mocking- 

 bird of the far west ; the redwing of Norway ; the nightin- 

 gale of England ; and the skylark of our own country. 



Thus is the skylark introduced to our notice, not as the fa- 

 vourite of a class, but of the community ; its admirers ranking 

 equally amongst the noblest as the lowliest. Unobtrusive in 

 habits as in its plumage, its crouching attitude in the mea- 

 dow and stubble-field, concealed during summer by the height 

 of the meadow grass, and in winter by inequalities of the 

 broken earth, together with its habit of never perching upon 

 trees, might cause it to appear more sparingly distributed 

 than it really is, were it not for its impatient song, which 

 prompts it to bid farewell to fear, and soar heavenward with 

 its melody. 



Breeding on the ground, its most favourite place to nidify 

 in is the impressed footmarks of cattle, made in damp 

 soil, which offers, when hardened by the sun, a sufficient pro- 

 tection for the young. It must be a matter of surprise that 

 the brood of the skylark, apparently so inadequately pro- 

 tected, should escape the stray footsteps of cattle, or the nu- 

 merous enemies the open situation exposes it to. 



As to the song of this species, so pre-eminently delightful, 

 we might well feel delicate in venturing on a subject which 

 has formed a favourite theme with the poets of all Europe. 

 From the quaint style of Chaucer to the u bonnie lark" of 

 Burns, all have selected this u neebur sweet" as the most 

 worthy of their choicest praise. 



When singing on the earth, before and after the breeding 

 season, a clod or bank is the station generally chosen, from 

 which it pours forth its melody. But it is at daybreak that 



" His large heart in little breast exulting sings." 

 Then, amid the silence of early dawn 



" Up springs the lark, 



Shrill-voiced and loud, the messenger of morn. 

 Ere yet the shadows fly, he, mounted, sings 

 Amid the dawning clouds, and from their haunts 

 Calls up the tuneful nations." 



Although generally the song of the lark is associated with 

 morning, on several occasions we have heard it so late as mid- 

 night ; but these were nights of unusual moonlight and bright- 



