PASSERINE BIRDS. 



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upon the lower portion of the body. The iris is dark brown, the beak blueish black at its tip, and the 

 feet a greyish brown. The length of this species is about six inches, and the breadth ten inches ; 

 the wing measures three and a half inches, and the tail two and a half inches. The female is smaller 

 than her mate. 



The Lark Bunting is to be found in all the northern countries of Europe, and is extremely 

 numerous in Lapland, its favourite haunts being mountains, barren highlands, or birch forests. Its 

 habits are a curious mixture of those of the Lark and Reed Bunting ; it runs on the ground after the 

 manner of the former, and perches like the latter, while its flight bears a resemblance to that of both 

 birds. The call-note is melancholy, and its sound well suited to the localities where it is heard : the 

 song is very simple, and is, we believe, only uttered whilst on the wing. Schrader tells us that this 



THE LARK bunting (Centrophanes lappouiats). 



species visits Lapland about April, and at once proceeds to make its nest, which is safely concealed 

 under the roots of a birch tree, or hidden amongst the surrounding plants ; exteriorly it is formed of 

 coarse, thick grass, and lined with soft feathers. The eggs, five or six in number, are laid about the 

 middle of June ; in shape they are elongated, and of a grey or yellowish colour, marked more or less 

 with dark spots or lines, which are, however, occasionally wanting. As soon as the duties of incubation 

 are concluded the little pairs unite themselves into parties, and appear during their journeyings over 

 the country to be almost entirely without fear of man, and quite ignorant of his dangerous powers. 

 The food of these birds during the summer months consists principally of gnats and other insects, 

 and in winter of various kinds of seeds. The migrations of Lark Buntings rarely extend beyond the 

 southern parts of Scandinavia, such as have visited Germany being, no doubt, stragglers that have 

 wandered involuntarily from the rest. Naumann tells us that they constantly seek the society of Larks, 

 and that their flesh is frequently eaten. 



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