2640 The Zoologist — June, 1871. 



that there can be no misunderstanding respecting it ; whatever may be its 

 cause in other species, it can have but one with this — viz. hunger : and no 

 sooner does the ground get well covered with snow, and the stubbles (the 

 favourite resort of this species in the autumn) no longer visible, than the 

 larks crowd together in large flocks preparatory to migrating in a southerly 

 direction. Such was the case on the 7th of December last : I happened to 

 be out on that particular afternoon, when the bitterly cold wind and driving 

 showers of thick, heavy snow were alike unpleasant to myself and this 

 species of bird. The ground was fast getting thickly covered when I heard 

 the cries of the larks, which towards evening were collecting in large flocks, 

 and, with shrill screams of alarm, were flying quickly in dilTerent directions, 

 and in a very unsettled manner. The next moi'ning, as soon as it was light, 

 huge flocks of them were seen steering their course directly to the southward, 

 in exactly the same line of flight that I had noticed them take in years past. 

 No computation of their immense number could be formed — they were 

 simply incalculable ; for far as the eye could see, both northwtu'd and south- 

 ward, vast flocks were quickly passing in an almost continuous flock : this 

 lasted for hours, — that I was witness of, — and how long it had been going 

 on before daylight (if at all), or whether any had migrated in the night, 

 I was unable to determine ; but that many thousands passed over this 

 district whilst I watched them, I can safely assert, and I believe this 

 migration lasted the whole day. The bii'ds made httle noise while passing 

 overhead, but seemed bent only on leaving the districts whence they 

 had come as quicldy as possible; and no wonder, for the whole face of 

 nature was wrapped in a thick mantle of snow, effectually cutting ofl" their 

 supplies, and warning them immediately to quit this dreary-looldng country 

 and seek some more hospitable clime : such is their depai'ture from us here. 

 Should wc have a thaw, and the ground again become visible, a backward 

 migration takes place, but only to a much smaller extent, the birds arriving 

 in small flocks or straggling parties; some of these manage to exist 

 throughout the winter, if the snow is not too deep, feeding on the tops of 

 turnips or on the grassy banks where it is thawed by the midday sun. As 

 spring advances, the males commence singing (this a few will do on a fine 

 day in winter), but do not rise very high at first : they quickly pair, and it 

 is noticeable how soon almost every field in this neighbourhood has its 

 tenants (one pair), the male assiduously attacking and driving away all 

 othei-s that venture within its limits : this habit is taken advantage of by 

 the birdcatchers here, who peg down another male with about a foot of 

 string, and having surrounded it with a circle of thin pieces of brass or 

 copper wire smeared with bu-d-lime, soon clear many fields of the male 

 birds. — F. Boyes; Beverley. 



White Larks. — From some low marshy land near the river Deben I have 

 obtained three white specimens of the lark. I received two last year from 



