90 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



some parts of Norfolk ; and very probably it visits several 

 other localities with more or less regularity that have 

 hitherto escaped the cognisance of the naturalist. But be 

 this as it may, it cannot be denied that the bird is rarer and 

 much more sparingly distributed than could be wished. 



The Shore Lark is found in the largest numbers in 

 North America, especially on the colder shores, and it is 

 also said to be seen in the northern parts of Europe and 

 Asia. According to Temminck, it breeds in Holland, and 

 remains in that country throughout the entire year. 

 The bird is hardy in its constitution, and although 

 compelled by severe weather to move southward in 

 search of milder quarters, as soon as the summer appears 

 it immediately retraces its steps towards the cold and 

 barren coasts of the far North. 



Its migration, if it may be so called, is generally 

 accomplished in small companies, and the birds do not 

 undertake long journeys at a time, but straggle, as it 

 were, from one place to another as the exigencies of the 

 weather may necessitate. 



The Shore Lark is somewhat shy in its habits, ex- 

 cept during incubation, at which time the bird becomes 

 bolder. After the brood is hatched it evinces great 

 anxiety and solicitude for its offspring. The parent is 

 said to be quite an expert in the various ruses adopted 

 by many birds for decoying intruders from the nest, 

 fluttering along the ground with assumed lameness, and 

 continually uttering a low plaintive cry. 



The nest is always placed upon the ground, and is not 

 easily discovered, as the materials used in its construction 

 are of the same colour and appearance as the surrounding 

 ground ; it is circular in shape and built of fine grass. Four 



