198 cassell's book of birds. 



for its reception. The brood usually consists of four or five large, round, white or yellowish white 

 eggs, thickly covered with light brown or grey spots. 



Much has been said and written in praise of the song of the Calandra Lark, but words are quite 

 inadequate to describe the effect it is capable of producing upon the minds of all who listen as it pours 

 forth an almost unceasing flow of sweet sounds, combining in the most surprising manner, not merely 

 the great variety of tones constituting its own peculiar song, but the notes and music uttered by 

 almost every other kind of bird, the whole being exquisitely adorned and blended by the little vocalist, 

 who thus produces an ever-changeful strain, which must be heard under the wide canopy of heaven 

 before its full beauty can be appreciated. When in a room, the whole performance is too loud to 

 permit the hearer adequately to appreciate the versatile powers of the little songster, who not 

 unfrequently gives utterance to a surprising flow of varied cadences, without any visible exertion of the 

 throat, the sounds appearing, strangely enough, to proceed entirely from the beak. With us these 

 Larks are not much esteemed as household pets, owing, as we have said, to the loudness of their 

 voice ; but in Spain great numbers are caught for domestication, the capture being generally achieved 

 at night with the aid of sheep-bells and dark lanterns, the birds thus deluded remaining stationary, 

 under the impression that only a flock of sheep is approaching, and thus their pursuers are enabled to 

 enclose multitudes of them in their nets before the unsuspecting victims can escape. 



THE SHORT-TOED LARK. 



The Short-toed Lark, or Calandrelle (Calandritis brachydactyla), is a well-known species, 

 inhabiting Spain and Italy, and differs from that above described in the comparative smallness of its 

 beak and very short spurs. The upper portion of the body is of a light clay colour, with a reddish 

 tint upon the head, and a grey shade here and there upon the back ; the under parts are pale greyish 

 yellow ; the wings are bordered with a darker shade than those of the Calandra Lark, and the spots 

 on the neck are smaller and fainter than in that bird. Its length is about five and a half inches, its 

 breadth from ten to eleven inches ; the wing measures three and a half inches, and the tail from two 

 to two and a half inches. 



The Calandrelle is found in considerable numbers, inhabiting all the plains of Southern Europe, 

 Central Asia, and Western Africa, where it frequents alike the barren wastes or cultivated districts. 

 The Asiatic steppes and desert tracts of the South must, however, be regarded as its actual habitat, 

 and in such localities the resemblance between the parched herbage or dry ground and the attire of 

 the bird is so deceptive, that the little creature need but lower its head to become completely un- 

 recognisable at the distance of a few paces from the spot upon which it stands. Such of this species 

 as frequent Spain, commence their wanderings in the early spring, keeping together in enormous flocks 

 until the breeding season, when they separate into pairs, each couple choosing a convenient nesting- 

 place, which is not left until the end of summer. The flight and habits of these birds have some few 

 peculiarities, but in most respects they closely resemble the rest of the Lark family. When upon the 

 wing they fly in irregular curves, ascending into the sky, if we may so describe it, by a kind of climbing 

 motion, and descending at once with the direct impetus and closed wings usually seen in the earthward 

 course of their congeners. Their song has been humorously described as "patchwork," and so it 

 actually is, for the performance is never consecutive, each long, shrill note being followed by an entirely 

 distinct and unconnected sound, the effect of which is far from pleasing, especially as their notes are 

 often repeated some twenty times in succession without the slightest variation beyond an occasional 

 change of key. Yet, despite the poverty of its own song, this bird is capable of imitating the voice of 

 its feathered companions with considerable skill, and may be heard pouring forth its disjointed notes 

 almost during the whole day, both when upon the ground, or while mounting upwards to the sky. 



