On Heaths and Marshes. 115 



watch the aerial songster long enough to notice the 

 latter peculiarity without fail. When once the bird 

 has been surely identified, the difference between 

 the songs of the two species will soon be impressed 

 upon the listener, even though the species until 

 then had been unfamiliar to him. The bird will 

 also warble just as sweetly and just as continuously 

 not only whilst sitting on the branches, but when 

 standing on the ground. We may also mention 

 that the Wood-lark is not so aerial as the commoner 

 species, never ascending to such vast elevations 

 during the course of its song. This Lark becomes 

 gregarious in autumn like most, if not all, its con- 

 geners, and then wanders more or less from its 

 native heath. It builds an unassuming little nest 

 upon the ground, usually under the shadow of some 

 bush or inequality of the turf, composed of dry 

 grass and lined with hair. In this it lays four or 

 five eggs, the markings on them being more distinct 

 and scattered than is the case with those of the 

 Sky-lark. The latter species is by no means an 

 uncommon one upon the heaths, but after what we 

 have already said there need be no confusion between 

 the two. 



There are various other Passerine birds to be 

 found in these localities, due attention being given 

 to the predominant vegetation. The silvery-rhroated 

 White-throat is a regular visitor each spring-t'tne to 



