234 SKYLARK. Clafs IL 



feather of the tail are white j of the fecond only the 

 exterior web ; the reft of thofe feathers dusky •, the 

 others are dusky edged with red ; thofe in the middle 

 deeply fo, the reft very (lightly : the legs dusky : 

 foles of the feet yellow : the hind claw very long and 

 ftrait. 



This and the woodlark are the only birds that fing 

 as they fly ; this raifing its note as it foars, and lower- 

 ing it till it quite dies away as it defcends. It will 

 often foar to fuch a height that we are charmed with 

 the mufic when we lofe fight of the fongfter •, it alfc* 

 begins its fong before the earlieft dawn. Milton, in 

 his Allegro, moft beautifully expreffes thefe circum- 

 ftances : and Bp. Newton obferves, that the beautiful 

 icene that Milton exhi bites of rural chearfulnefs, at 

 the fame time gives us a fine picture of the regularity 

 of his life, and the innocency of his own mind j thus 

 he defcribes himielf as in a fimatioa 



To hear the lark begin his flight, 

 And finging ltartle the dull night, 

 From his watch tower in the fkies, 

 'Till the dappled dawn doth rife. 



It continues its harmony feveral months, beginning 

 early in the fpring, on pairing. In the winter they 

 affemble in vaft flocks, grow very fat, and are taken 

 in great numbers for otvr tables. They build their 

 neft on the ground, beneath fome clod ; forming it 

 of hay, dry fibres, &c. and lay four or five eggs. 



The place thefe birds are taken in the greater!: 

 quantity, is the neighbourhood ofDunftahki the fea- 



ftm 



DSI 



