3 8 A Natural Hiflorj of 



in fome Parts of France, and is called there 

 by a Name, which with us fignifies the leffer 

 Linnet ; and that its Eggs is like the Egg of 

 that Bird, but lels. 



Of the Skie-lark 5 



The Difmption mid Chara^er. 



THE Cock Skie'Iark is as good a Song- 

 bird as moil this Land produces : He 

 is vaftly. ftoiit and lavilh in his Song ; bat 

 thought by fome. People, too loud and harfh, 

 I muil own, tho' he has a great many fine 

 Notes, they are not fo melodious as the Wood^ 

 lark' J y which in Variety and Softnels much 

 excels him, and to my Fancy, all fmall Birds, 

 without Exception ; but that valuable Bird is 

 exceeding Tender, very fubjed to the Cramp 

 and other Difeafes, that he cao be kept but a 

 fhort Time in a Cage ; two or •three Years 

 we count a great while ; I don't Deny, but 

 ibmetimes they Reach beyond that Date; yet 

 the far greater Number make their Period a 

 great deal fooner ; whereas the Shle-larh is a 

 long-liv'd, healthful Bird, that will reach 

 fifceea or twenty Years; I have heard of 

 feveral which have lived to that Age, and 



iung 



