154 WOODLARK. 



in the branches of trees, very unlike its relation the 

 Skylark. From this position it will soar into the air 

 warbling forth its song, but rising rather in large 

 circles than vertically upwards. It descends in the 

 same manner. 



Its food in the autumn and winter consists chiefly 

 of grain and seeds, the rest of the year it feeds largely 

 on insects. 



These birds are early breeders, eggs being often 

 found by the end of March. The nest is very com- 

 pact, and is always built upon the ground, in the grass 

 under shelter of some tree, or beneath a large tuft ; it 

 has a more finished appearance than the Skylark's 

 nest and is deeper, resembling half a ball ; it is com- 

 posed of coarse grass and a little moss, and lined with 

 finer grass and hair. 



The eggs, four or five, are of a pale wood brown, 

 marked with blotches of reddish brown and under- 

 lying markings of grey. They are no doubt sometimes 

 confused with the eggs of the Skylark, but may be 

 distinguished by their slightly smaller size, their lighter 

 and more exposed ground colour and the redder colour 

 of the spots. * 



The Woodlark is in great request as a cage bird, it 

 being considered a much sweeter and more melo- 

 dious songster than the Skylark, though its song is 

 not so varied or loud. It becomes very sociable in 

 confinement, " so sociable," says Meyer, " that when 

 spoken to it invariably answers with a few low liquid 

 notes". Unfortunately this sweet-voiced little bird 

 but seldom lives more than two or three years in 

 captivity. 



* A second batch of eggs is laid as soon as the young ones 

 leave the nest. 



