SKY-LARK™*, 
ALAUDA ARVENSIS, Linn. 
Alauda arvensis, Linn. S. N. i. p. 287 (1766) ; Naum. iv. 
p- 156; Macg. ii. p. 163; Hewitson, i. p. 176; Yarr. 
ed. 4,1. p. 614; Dresser, iv. p. 307. 
Alouette des Champs, French; Feld-Lerche, Lerche, German ; 
Alondra, Zurriaga, Terrera, Spanish. 
Too universally distributed to be unknown, too 
conspicuous to be unnoticed, too attractive to remain 
unadmired or unappreciated, the Sky-Lark needs no 
description. There is no corner of the British Isles 
which is not enlivened by his song, for his numbers do 
not perceptibly diminish, albeit to his other attractions 
he adds, unfortunately for himself, the reputation of 
being a savoury morsel for the gourmand, and a profit- 
able investment for the professional birdeatcher. The 
extension of cultivation, which has probably caused the 
diminution of the Goldfinch and other species, by de- 
stroying the plants which formed their favourite food, 
has operated in favour of the Sky-Lark, which delights 
* T consider it fair to my Subscribers to state that in this article, 
and a few others on the family of Larks, I have called in the aid 
of the able and ever ready pen of a far more competent and expe- 
rienced writer than myself.—Linrorp. 
