WOOD-LARK. 257 



less in some places it is a constant residentj and its charming song may be 

 heard almost throughout the year. The Wood-Lark frequents very 

 different places to those chosen by the Sky-Lark, and is principally found 

 on the borders of woods and groves, in open spaces in forests, or in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of plantations. In some localities it frequents 

 parks and fields ; in others it is seen on the borders of heaths and commons ; 

 but in every situation the presence of trees seems indispensable to this 

 charming little bird. Like the Tree-Pipit it seldom wanders far when once 

 it has selected a summer home, and the observer may almost be certain of 

 finding it in its chosen locality throughout the season. It also appears to 

 return, if migratory, every season to its old summer-quarters. During the 

 winter the Wood-Lark is more or less gregarious ; but its sociability seems 

 to cease very early in the year, and about the end of February or beginning 

 of March it pairs and betakes itself to its breeding-quarters. Its habits 

 in spring more resemble those of the Tree-Pipit than the Sky-Lark, and 

 there can be little doubt that the two birds are often confused by careless 

 observers. 



At its breeding-grounds in early spring the Wood-Lark spends much of 

 his time in song. He often chooses a perch on the dead branch of a tree, 

 sometimes on the very s^immit, from which to warble his delightful song, 

 which he continues for hours. At other times he sings as he soars in 

 circling flight above his favourite trees ; and will sometimes even sit on 

 the ground and warble almost as sweetly as when in the air. The song of 

 the Wood-Lark is certainly superior to that of the Sky-Lark ; it is not 

 quite so loud, but is even more continuous ; and if it be more monotonous, 

 the richness of the tone almost approaches that of the Blackcap, whilst 

 sometimes one is tempted to compare its plaintive melody with that of the 

 Nightingale. The song-flight is very similar to that of the Sky-Lark, but 

 performed more in circles ; and the bird seldom soars so high, and usually 

 warbles for some time whilst hovering in the air. Its song is commenced 

 before dawn and is kept up at intervals throughout the day and even into 

 the dusk of evening. 



The Wood-Lark sings until the moulting-season and regains its song in 

 September, warbling at intervals throughout the winter if a warm sunny 

 day occurs. As might be expected, the Wood-Lark is in great request by 

 the bird-fancier ; and the practice of trapping it for confinement has been 

 the primary cause of its scarcity or total absence from some districts, 

 especially in the neighbourhood of large towns. The call-note of the 

 Wood-Lark is a double one, very musical and something Uke that of the 

 Sky-Lark. 



The Wood-Lark is very active upon the ground, running about in search 

 of food and often crouching so closely to the earth as to allow itself to be 

 almost trodden upon ere it takes wing. When rising into the air it usually 

 VOL. n. ^ 



