SKYLARK. 



ALAUDA ARVENSIS. 



Family PASSERID^;. Sub-family ALAUDIN^;. Genus ALAUDA. 

 Lark Lavrock. 



The Skylark must be familiar to all of us, for it 

 is very common in all parts of the British Islands, 

 and a resident bird, except in the extreme north. Its 

 lively and continuous song when first heard in March 

 tells us of sunshine to come, and winter past. The 

 song cannot be compared to the Woodlark's for music, 

 but its cheerfulness and the persistency with which 

 it is uttered render it a favourite with everybody. 

 Rising from the ground, the bird almost at once 

 bursts into song : up and up it goes, never pausing 

 for an instant in its hymn, higher and higher until 

 we often lose sight of it altogether, and yet we can 

 still hear its clear strong notes ; presently we may 



