TITMICE. 



ground; they dwell, in general, on the ground, and feed on 

 grains, tender herbs, insects and larvae. They also have the 

 habit of dusting themselves by fluttering on the ground. The 

 Conunon Lark is found nearly throughout the eastern continent. 

 During the summer, these birds prefer dry elevated situations, 

 and delight in soaring to great heights in the air, singing in a 

 strong, melodious voice. In winter, they assemble in large num- 

 bers on the level country in search of food ; when the cold is 

 intense they take refuge among the rocks, and along streams that 

 do not freeze, and when pushed by want, they approach our 

 habitations. They nestle on the ground, and without becoming 

 familiar with man, the}^ become accustomed to captivity. Their 

 flesh is esteemed a delicacy. 



54. The Shore Lark, — Alaiida alpestris, — is of a reddish gray 

 inclining to brown above, whitish beneath v/ith the throat and a 

 stripe over the e5^e of a pale yellow ; the tail and wings, and a 

 patch on the breast, black. This beautiful species is common in 

 the northern parts of both continents. These birds arrive in the 

 Northern and Middle States early in October, and generally dis- 

 appear on the approach of snow. 



55. The Sky Lark, — Alauda arvensis, — is universally known 

 by its perpendicular mode of soaring, accompanied by its varied 

 and powerful song. It is brown above ; whitish underneath, and 

 spotted throughout, with a deeper shade of brown. 



56. The Tits, or Titmice, — Pariis, — have a slender and very 

 short beak. They are extremely lively little birds ; they are 

 constantly leaping from branch to branch in short flights, climb- 

 ing and suspending themselves in all manner of positions, pluck- 

 ing the grains upon which they feed, also eating many insects, 

 not even sparing small birds when they find them enfeebled by 

 sickness, or entangled in snares ; they are often seen to pierce 

 their skulls by repeated strokes of the beak to devour the brains ; 

 they also pick the bones to a skeleton. In proportion to their size, 

 which is very small, these are the strongest of all birds ; they 

 attack owls fiercely ; they have the habit of storing a provision 

 of grains; they nest in the hollows of old trees, and lay more 

 eggs than any other of the passerine birds. Species are found 

 in all paris of the world, and there are several in the United 

 States. The Tufted Titmoi/se, — Parvs hicolor, — is crested, and 

 scarcely exists north of Pennsylvania, and New York. It is of a 



54. What are the characters of the Shore Lark ? 



55. What are characters of the Sky Lark ? 



56. What are the characters of the Titmice? What are their habits? 

 Where are they found ? What are the characters of the Tufted Titmouse ? 



