THE LARK. 59 



gin, which is from the Canary islands, although we have them 

 now from Germany, where they are bred up tame in great num- 

 bers, and sold into different parts of Europe. In a wild state, 

 it cannot bear the severity of a cold climate ; but kept in a cage, 

 it will live ten or fifteen years. 



In its native islands, which are rendered delightful by the 

 beauty of their landscapes, and the harmony of their groves, the 

 canary-bird is of a dusky grey colour, and so different from 

 those seen in Europe, that some have doubted whether it be of 

 the same species — so conspicuous are the effects of domestica- 

 tion and change of climate, in this bird, as well as in many 

 other animals, both quadrupeds and volatiles. The canary-bird, 

 in its tame as well as in its natural state, is highly valued for the 

 harmony of its song and the great variety of its long and piercing 

 notes. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



" Up springs the lark, 



Shrill-voic'd and loud, the messenger of morn." 



We shall now recommend to notice a bird which contributes 

 in an eminent degree to enliven the rural scenery of the country ; 

 for instead of retiring to the recesses of the forest, or the soli- 

 tary retreats of sequestered groves, it hovers over the meadows 

 and the fields, and accompanies the ploughman and the reaper; 

 and by its melodious strains, gladdens the heart of the peasant, 

 and sweetens his toil. 



THE LARK 



Is, in England and most countries of Europe, universally 

 known ; and being considered as the harbinger of spring, and 

 the herald of the morn, it may be said to lead the general chorus 

 among " the tuneful nations." With the singing of the lark so 

 many delectable ideas are indeed associated, that of all the 

 winged songsters, no one contributes more to the pleasure of 

 the human species. 



The lark genus includes twenty-eight different species. Of 

 these, the sky-lark, and next to that the wood-lark, are the most 

 common in England ; but the tit-lark and the field-lark are also 

 British birds. All the lark genus is musical ; but to enjoy their 

 music in perfection, we must leave them in possession of their 

 native liberty. The song of any bird in captivity produces un- 

 pleasant sensations in a feeling heart. It is the landscape, the 

 grove, the golden-eyed morn, the fluttering from branch tc 



