SKY LARK. 451 
five or six feet of the window, outside which the aviary 
is constructed, and through which window, when open, 
many of them come into the room to him. The degree of 
perfection with which they are managed, and the total 
absence of any influence of fear or restraint on their ha- 
bits, may be learned by the fact that in the summer of 
1836, a pair of Sky Larks produced four sets of eggs; in 
1837 the same pair produced three sets of eggs, and reared 
some of their young; and this year, three females had, 
each of them, a nest and eggs. The materials for build- 
ing are sought for and carried by the male bird to the spot 
selected for the intended nest, near which the female re- 
mains to assist in arranging them. During the period of 
producing the eggs, the female has occasionally been heard 
to sing with a power and variety of tone equal to the voice of 
her mate. The male Sky Lark, though at other times timid, 
is, while his female is sitting, bold and pugnacious ; driving 
every other bird away that ventures too near his charge, 
both watching and feeding her with unceasing solicitude. 
To supply the quantity of insect food necessary during sum- 
mer, the maggots of the flesh-fly, and the beetle, so com- 
mon in most kitchens, are principally resorted to. 
Sky Larks constantly dust themselves, appearing to take 
great pleasure in the operation, shuffling and rubbing them- 
selves along the ground, setting up their feathers, and by 
a peculiar action of the legs and wings throwing the 
smaller and looser portions of the soil over every part of 
their bodies. This is supposed to be done in order to rid 
themselves of small parasitic insects. Many ground birds, 
such as Quails and Partridges, are observed to be invete- 
rate dusters, their terrestrial habits probably exposing 
them to the constant attacks of minute but very trouble- 
some visitors. From the number of male Sky Larks sold 
GG 2 
