BIRDS' NESTS. 241 



vering songster, and especially exerts himself 

 when any one intrudes on his domain, flying 

 from one reedy thicket to another, and continu- 

 ing his song till late at night. The nest is usually 

 placed among brambles, thorns, or other bushes, 

 at no great distance from the river's bank. 

 It is constructed of dry stalks, moss, and grass, 

 and lined with hair, and small in proportion to 

 the size of the bird, but unusually deep. The 

 eggs, from four to six in number, are little 

 more than half an inch in length, and vary 

 greatly in width, being sometimes nearly or- 

 bicular; the ground colour is light greenish 

 brown, and the markings are not unlike those 

 of the whitethroat, light olive brown. 

 SKYLARK. Alauda arvensis. 

 PLATE XIX. EIG. 2. 



WHO is there that does not know the name 

 and something of the habits of the bird that soars 

 highest, sings loudest and longest, never alights 

 on a tree, and builds its nest on the ground? 

 Who has not peered intently into the blue vault 



