ORDER PASSERES. 209 



sky larks. While their migration is in progress, which is 

 during the months of October and November, is the most 

 favourable time for taking them in abundance. 



It is hardly to be supposed that birds which have so strong 

 an attachment to their species, can live very comfortably in a 

 state of isolated captivity. When taken adult, the lulus do 

 not appear very sensible to the loss of their companions. 

 They are tolerably tranquil, but they eat little ; and on the 

 return of spring, when new and more lively affections take 

 possession of the bosoms of these little beings, they speedily 

 perish of chagrin, unless restored to liberty, to friendship, 

 and to love. 



The Short-toed Lark (Alauda Brachydactyla), is met with 

 in the Canaries, in the southern provinces of France, and 

 especially in Champagne, where the species is remarkably 

 numerous. These larks arrive in the last mentioned country 

 about the end of April, and are universally found in dry and 

 sandy situations. They have several broods, and the first 

 takes place soon after their arrival. The nest is constructed 

 on the ground, of few materials, principally the blades of 

 dog's-grass, and is usually found in a wheel-rut, or track of a 

 horse's hoof. The eggs are three or four, gray in colour, and 

 spotted with a brownish gray, which spots are more confluent 

 towards the gross end. As soon as the young can manage for 

 themselves, they quit the untilled lands of Champagne, unite 

 in numerous bodies, and seek fresher abodes and oaten fields. 

 They leave this province at the end of August, and do not 

 return vmtil the following spring. 



Morning and evening, all the males of the plain assemble, 

 and, at a very elevated height in the air, produce a concert, 

 which is heard very distinctly, even though the birds are out 

 of sight. This song is more agreeable and melodious than 

 that of the common lark. They seldom sing in the middle 



VOL. VII. p 



