316 



10 



in his commentary on Dr. Jerdon's ' Birds of India ' : — " A specimen lately received from Dr. 

 Jerdon thus marked by him, differs in no respect that I can perceive from the European A. 

 arvensis, not even in the proportions of its primaries ; and the closed wing measures 4*5 inches. 

 Mr. Gould, however, refers it to A. moreatica, Bonap., in which I fail to perceive sufficient 

 distinction." When this last-named title was published we have been unable to discover. 



The Sky-Lark occasionally visits Greenland, and has been met with in the Bermudas. 

 Canon Tristram writes to us : — " I do not know whether I ever mentioned in print that I got 

 the Sky-Lark (a storm-tried waif) in Bermuda after an easterly gale." 



Macgillivray's account of the habits of this species is excellent, as usual ; and we cull the 

 following remarks from his work : — " Towards the end of autumn the Sky-Larks congregate in 

 large straggling flocks, generally keeping by themselves, although occasionally mingling with 

 small birds of the Passerine and Bunting families. In open weather they frequent the stubble- 

 and ploughed fields, where they pick up the seeds of oats, wheat, barley, polygona, and other 

 plants. Like the Deglubitores and many of the Cantatores, they use a large quantity of sand 

 and gravel, consisting chiefly of grains of quartz, to aid the process of digestion. I believe their 

 food during the winter consists almost entirely of seeds, although remains of insects may now 

 and then be found in their gizzards. At this season they employ only their ordinary flight, 

 which bears some resemblance to that of the Fieldfare, being performed by slight undulations, 

 and several consecutive flaps of the wings, with short alternate cessations. They generally hover 

 over a field, or fly about in curves, before they alight, which they do in rather an abrupt manner, 

 but not so rapidly as the Corn- and Yellow Buntings. On alighting they disperse, and move 

 about, not by leaps, like most small birds, but by an alternate action of the feet, in a half-gliding, 

 half-startful manner, keeping their legs bent and their breasts consequently close to the ground. 

 When in any degree alarmed, they crouch, draw in their neck, and remain motionless until the 

 object of their apprehension has disappeared. Should a person walk up to a flock, he may get 

 quite close to it before the birds think it necessary to rise ; and on such occasions they do not all 

 take flight at once, a few here and there rising in succession. Indeed, unless the ground be all 

 gone over, many will remain and allow their companions to fly off. Their movements while 

 rising are rapid and wavering, so that, until they are at some distance, it is difficult to shoot them. 

 Owing to their habit of crouching, it is by means easy to perceive them while on the ground, 

 especially if they are among stubble ; and as their motions are quick, they traverse a considerable 

 space in a short time. When there is snow on the ground, they betake themselves to corn-yards, 

 and search the tops of the stacks for seeds ; but in frosty weather, when the ground is clear, they 

 prefer settling on the spaces between or around the stacks. If disturbed and forced to fly off, 

 they do not, like the Buntings, Chaffinches, and Sparrows, with which they then associate, perch 

 on the neighbouring trees or walls, but remove to a distance. During this season they merely 

 utter a short chirping note as they fly, although occasionally a bright day, even as early as 

 January, will elicit their song. The song of the Sky-Lark is familiar to most persons, even those 

 who in cities have exchanged the love of nature inherent in humanity for the love of gain, 

 fashion, and vicious excitement ; but were it not, it would be as difficult for me to describe it as 

 it would be for a musician to imitate it. Sometimes the Lark sings on the ground, perched on a 

 clod, or even crouched among the grass ; but generally in commencing its song it starts off, rises 



