42 



NEST AND EGGS OF THE SKY«LARK. 



TABLE XLII. 



This bird, like the rest of the family, builds its nest 

 on the ground, in some furrow, or under a tuft of grass 

 or weeds. The whole outside of the nest before me, 

 is formed with dried stalks and blades of grass ; the 

 intermediate coat between the outside and the lining, 

 is composed of the same materials, but chosen thinner, 

 finer, and softer ; the lining consists of the very finest 

 parts of the same stuff, mixed with a few hairs. 



The eggs are four in number, of a kind of dusky 

 gray colour, spotted with minute dark spots or points, 

 most so at the bigger end. The eggs of the Sky-lark 

 are constantly of the same colour, not being subject to 

 that variety of appearances which prevails in some 

 species of the same family. 



Those who keep Larks in cages, besides sweet food 

 and pure water, would do well to give them every day 

 a fresh turf of white or red clover ; and when these 

 plants are not to be had, give them the seeds of them, 

 now and then, along with their food. 



