WOODLARK. £7 



The entire length of the Woodlark is nearly seven inches. 

 The wing measures from the carpus to the extremity of the 

 quill-feathers four inches ; the first quill- feather measures 

 three lines, the second is nearly equal to the third and fourth, 

 which are the longest in the wing. The tail-feathers are two 

 inches and a half in length, and extend eleven lines beyond 

 the tips of the folded wings ; these feathers are rather more 

 pointed than in the skylark, and the upper tail-coverts longer 

 in proportion. The tarsi measure ten and a half lines, and 

 the entire expanse of the foot rather exceeds one inch and 

 three-quarters. 



A description of the feathering of the Woodlark would be 

 little more than a repetition of that of the skylark, it is 

 therefore thought more advisable to mention in what slight 

 particulars the two species differ. One distinguishing cha- 

 racter is the light brown eye-streak which distinctly separates 

 the top of the head, or cap, from the ear-coverts ; the throat 

 is white, and the spots upon the breast more rich and full ; 

 and on the nape of the neck, and centre of the back, some 

 of the feathers have a lighter edge. The wings are the same 

 as in the skylark, except the white tips of the secondary 

 quills, which are much less broad and distinct. On the tail- 

 feathers there is also less white in the Woodlark, that colour 

 bordering only the second feather, instead of occupying, as 

 in the skylark, the entire outer web. The rest of the 

 plumage, and the colours of the legs, feet, and beak, are the 

 same. In caged specimens the legs and feet of larks lose 

 the rich tint they possess when wild, and become pale flesh- 

 colour, sometimes white. The male and female differ but 

 little in plumage, but the male has in spring a richer rufous 

 brown upon the breast. The beak in this species is a little 

 shorter and smaller than in the skylark. 



When alive, these two species differ more in manners than 

 in form. The Woodlark walks upon the ground with a slow 



