190 BRITISH BIRDS, WITH THEIR NESTS AND EGGS. 
In summer the Shore-Lark inhabits the dry sandy plains and rocky hills of 
the tundras only approaching the rivers to drink. Seebohm says that it seems to 
be entirely a ground bird, and he never saw it either on a tree or a bush. 
Everyone speaks well of the song of the Shore-Lark, for although it is short 
and not very varied it is full of melody. It is sung by the bird not only when 
on the earth—but, as with the Sky-Lark, much more frequently when the bird is 
soaring in the air. At such times it is said to atone for the brevity of its song 
by repeating it over and over again: this is practically what Alauda arvensis does 
if you take the trouble to listen to him attentively. The call-note is described as 
loud and clear. 
As is the case with all our Larks this species forms its nest in a slight 
depression in the earth or among stones; sometimes entirely unprotected, but at 
other times under the shelter of rushes. The nest, owing to the country where 
it is constructed, naturally differs somewhat in its materials from those of the 
Larks with which we are familiar in England; externally it is similar, being 
formed of dead grasses, bents, etc.; but internally it is lined with willow-down 
and reindeer hair. The eggs number from four to five, rarely three (the latter 
probably not representing a full clutch) and chiefly differ from those of the Sky- 
Lark in their generally more olive tint. 
To show how easily this apparently conspicuous species may be overlooked, 
Mr. Fenwick Hole in the ‘“ Field”? for Nov. 19th, 1864, recorded the fact of his 
shooting a pair, of which he only secured one, under the impression that they 
were common Sky-Larks. He says ‘“‘I was only led to shoot at them at all from 
a desire to try my big duck gun at such small objects on the ground; you may 
therefore judge of my surprise, when picking up the dead specimen, at my double 
stroke of good luck—firstly, chancing to alight on such a rarity; and secondly, 
firing at it at all.” 
Speaking of three specimens shot out of a flock of about twenty at Lowestoft 
in February, 1865, the late Henry Stevenson says :—‘‘ The contents of their crops 
* * * appeared to consist of seeds of Polygonacee and the chrysalis of some 
small insect.” 
The food of this Lark consists very largely of seeds, although in the summer 
insects, their larve, and pupz, as well (doubtless) as spiders are eaten; it also 
devours small mollusca and crustacea cast up on the sea-shore. 
Being both tame, beautiful, and musical, the Shore-Lark is often caged; and 
of late years, it has frequently been exhibited at bird-shows. 
Herr Gatke observes :—‘‘ On account of its pleasing appearance I have kept 
one of these birds for years in a cage. The song, though by no means loud, is 
