2i6 BIRDS 



colour, streaked and blotched with dark brown, 

 and of a similar nature to the curious markings of 

 other British Buntings, which has acquired for 

 the bird the local name of Scribbling Lark. 



VI. BIRD-LIFE IN MARCH 



There is little doubt that the Skylark is the most 

 prominent bird in the country at this season of 

 the year. That being so, he, blithe spirit — as 

 Shelley so aptly described him — shall have the 

 place of honour in this little sketch of bird-life 

 during gusty March-many- weathers. 



Hail, rain, sunshine, wind, or snow finds the 

 Skylark in the same happy mood — towering aloft 

 on quivering wings pouring out the while that 

 mad, exquisite lay. Shelley called it harmonious 

 madness, and such it is. Let me endeavour to 

 write down a description of the song as it seems to 

 strike me as daily I watch and listen and never 

 tire. As the feathered jewel proceeds in its 

 aerial flights its song seems to increase in volume, 

 sweetness, and cadence. Right unto its final 

 outburst, just previous to the abrupt lightning 

 fall to mother earth, the bird appears to gather 

 music as it goes. Albeit, the song seems little 

 varied, yet it can never become monotonous! I 

 have listened to the Lark now for over twenty- 

 five years, and I still listen with wonderment and 



