133 



SHORE LARK. 



PLATE LXXIl FIG. I. 



Alauda alpentris, . . Jei^yns. Gould. EytojST. 

 Alauda coniuta, . . . B,rcHABDSON and SwaijN'son. 



The nest, which is composed of fine grasses, circularly 

 disposed, and lined with feathers, exactly resembles in 

 colour the moss in which it is embedded, and is placed 

 on the ground, in the desolate regions where moss is 

 almost the only vegetation. 



The eggs are four or five in number, greyish white, 

 spotted with pale blue and brown spots. They are 

 laid in the beginning of July. 



The young, says Mr. Audubon, which are hatched 

 about the middle of July, and fully fledged by the 

 first of August, leave the nest before they are able to 

 fly, and follow their parents over the moss, in which 

 they drop, and endeavour to conceal themselves on 

 the appearance of any danger. They run nimbly, and 

 are fed for about a week. If observed and pursued, 

 the same author further relates, that they utter a soft 

 *peep,' open their wings to aid them in their escape, 

 and separating, make off with great celerity. 



The plate is from a drawing of an egg in the col- 

 lection of H. F. Walter, Esq., of 67, Russell Sq^uare, 

 London. 



