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observed small flocks of six or eight individuals, near Odessa. Although a migrant throughout 

 Central Europe, it is, strange to say, a resident not only (as above stated) near Constantinople, 

 but also in Palestine ; for Dr. Tristram, who procured it there, writes (Ibis, 1866, p. 287) as 

 follows : — " Of the typical Alaudinse, Alauda arborea, L., is the only one which we found 

 breeding; it remains all the year in the country, wintering in the hills about Jerusalem in 

 small flocks, and dispersing into the neighbourhood of oliveyards and woods in the breeding- 

 season. It is not an uncommon bird." It ranges as far south as Lower Egypt, but is rare 

 there, as the only instance we know of its occurrence is one recorded by Brehm. It is, how- 

 ever, according to Loche, common in Southern Algeria, especially in the winter, where it 

 frequents the bush-covered localities, and is found in small bands of about fifteen individuals, 

 but never in large flocks. Mr. Tyrwhitt Drake does not include the Wood- Lark in his list of 

 the birds of Morocco; but we are informed by Major Irby that it occurs during the winter 

 season in the vicinity of Tangiers. It has not been found on the Canaries or the Azores. 



Unlike the Sky-Lark, which frequents the open treeless and bushless plains and fields, the 

 Wood-Lark affects less-cultivated ground where trees and bushes partially cover the country. 

 As its German appellation, Heidelerche (Heath-Lark), implies, it frequents the heath-covered 

 plains where trees are in the immediate neighbourhood ; and, according to many observers, it 

 appears to prefer conifer growth to non-evergreen groves. In localities where the soil is sandy 

 and partially covered with second growth, larger trees being sparsely scattered here and there, 

 this species is generally numerous ; but it does not frequent the dense forest. In its habits it is 

 lively and sprightly, fond of the society of its congeners, and not quarrelsome, but rather more 

 shy than the Sky-Lark. It frequents the ground far more than is commonly supposed, and 

 indeed only perches occasionally on the outer branches, chiefly during the breeding-season when 

 singing. It seeks its food almost, if not solely, on the ground, and runs with celerity and ease. 

 It roosts on the ground in open places close to the woods, under weeds or grass, or in the old 

 weed-covered furrows, and retires early to rest. It is more affected by the cold weather than the 

 Sky-Lark, and migrates earlier to the southward than that species. Its song is sweet and flute- 

 like, more melancholy than that of A. arvensis, and is generally uttered from the top of some 

 tree, or else when the bird is on the wing. It rises to some height before commencing, then 

 ascends, singing, higher and higher, throwing itself from side to side, hovers and floats in the air, 

 and, when the song is ended, drops with closed wings to the ground again. It sings not only in 

 the mornings and evenings, but also at other times of the day and in the night, especially at 

 midnight. 



The Wood-Lark, like the Sky-Lark, places its nest on the ground, usually in some place where 

 it is well concealed. The nest is constructed of grass, straws, and moss, lined with fine bents, hair, 

 and wool, and is a more compact structure than that of the last-named bird. The eggs, usually 

 four or five in number, vary somewhat in colour and markings. In a series now before us out of 

 Dresser's collection the ground-colour is white, in some with a grey, and in others with a slight 

 reddish tinge, and the markings, which are minute and scattered closely over the egg, generally 

 collecting somewhat at the larger end, are reddish brown, olive-brown, or dark nut-brown. In 

 one or two specimens there is a blotch at the larger end, and besides these surface-spots there are 



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