CXXXIX. 



ALAUDA ARVENSIS. (Linn.) 

 Sky Lark. 



The eggs of the Sky Lark, though lujt finite so remark- 

 able as those of the Tree Pipit for extreme variableness in 

 their colouring, are subject to great variety. I am not 

 satislied that those in tlie Plate (although chosen from a 

 large series of specimens) will illustrate to the eyes of others 

 those which they have been used to look upon as the most 

 chai'acteristic of the species. I have found it more difficult 

 than in any other drawing, to select those which 1 consider 

 the most prevalent. Fig. 1 is frequent as is Fig. 2 with 

 many shades of the same gieenish colouring. There are 

 varieties much lighter, and less closely freckled than either, 

 but I have never before met wdth one which so closely 

 resembles the eggs of the Woodlark, as Fig. 3 ; another 

 from the same nest, is lighter, with the markings smaller, 

 and a good deal like some eggs of the Pied Wagtail. 



The eggs of the Sky Lark differ much in shape ; some are 

 long and pointed at the smaller end, and in form, similar to 

 the eggs of the Waders, whilst others are short and broad. 

 Specimens from the collection of Mr. Doubleday, though 

 slightly coloured elsewhere, are circled near the larger end 

 witli a continuous zone of deep brown. 



The nest is made almost entirely of dried grasses, finer 

 towards the inside, mixed with a few roots ; it is placed 

 upon the ground, and may be found in almost every situation 

 which the country affords — the grassy meadow, the com 

 field, the open pasture, and on the bare sod of the ploughed 



