41 

 ALAUDA ARVENSIS. 



Linncei Sy sterna NaturcEt-p. 278. 



SKY-LARK. 



PLATE XLI. 



X he bill is black at the tip, pale at the base. Eyes 

 brown, cheeks brown, with a tawny cast ; the top of 

 the head is also of a strong brown, each feather having 

 a black stroke down the middle. The feathers on the 

 crown are long, and capable of being erected in form 

 of an upright conical crest, as we frequently see them 

 in breeding time, but not at any other season of the 

 year. From this circumstance origrinated the fabled 

 bird, known amongst Ornithologists by the name 

 Greater Crested Lark. This bird was invented and first 

 put on record by Aldrovandus, and has been continu- 

 ed by all writers on birds down to this time. 



But to return to the Sky -lark. The feathers on the 

 back and rump are the same as on the head. The 

 quills are of a dusky black, edged with brown ; those 

 next the back are broad and long, reaching to the end 

 of the first. The tail is of a dusky black, the feathers 

 having brown edges, except the outmost on each side, 

 which have their outer webs white. The throat and 

 cheeks are of a pale tawny brown ; the breast a darker 

 brown, with black strokes tending downwards. The 

 lower part of the breast and the belly are of a dusky 

 white, except in old male birds, which are brown 

 in those parts. The legs and feet are a brown orange 

 colour, the hind claw very long, and but little curved. 

 The Butterfly is called Wood-Lady,"^ the Caterpillar 

 feeds on Wild Rape, Ladysmock, &c. ; changes to a 

 chrysalis in July, and flies the May following : haunts 

 rivulets and moist meadows. 



* Papilio Cardamines. Linn. 



