6G THE SKY LARK. 



spot, or to two or three different places; in 

 which case it is a proof that the young 

 ones are dispersed : in a short time, how- 

 ever, the old birds will get them together 

 again, and you can then make a second 

 attempt. 



The sky larks most in esteem are pushers, 

 and those which have been taken from 

 the nest; after these, the birds called 

 branchers, a term given to those larks 

 which have never moulted, and which are 

 very little inferior to the former : if, however, 

 they have once moulted, or even if they 

 be taken whilst in moult, they seldom 

 prove good for any thing. 



Branchers are taken in June and July, 

 by means of a hawk, and a net about eleven 

 or twelve yards long, by three or four broad, 

 having a strong cord passed through the 

 upper side. To manage this business pro- 

 perly, you will require the assistance of a 

 second person, to carry the farthest end of 

 the cord, whilst you bear the nearest end 

 yourself with your right hand, and carry the 

 hawk with your left. Having observed the 

 place where the larks lie, advance slowly 



