LARK. 275 



It is found in most of the enclosed parts of England, but never 

 on the moors and downs, where the Titlark is most frequent. The 

 song much superior to that of the latter, though somewhat similar. 

 This it delivers from the branch of a tree, or on the wing, when 

 descending to the ground. From the beginning of March to July, 

 is seen mounting in the air, in a fluttering manner ; at the same 

 time making a twittering kind of note, and then descending to some 

 neighbouring tree, with a motionless wing, and the tail thrown up. 

 At this time it sings, but never when rising, and rarely pitches on 

 the ground again till it has perched, always mounts in the like 

 manner from a tree before it descends to the ground, but the Titlark 

 after mounting in the air, either returns to the ground, or pitches on 

 a low bush. 



The Field Lark generally makes the nest among the high grass, 

 or green wheat, and resides wholly in the more cultivated parts 

 where there are trees. It is composed of dry grass, fibrous plants, 

 and sometimes a little moss, lined with fine dry grass and horse hair; 

 the eggs are four, bluish white, thickly blotched, and spotted with 

 purplish brown. Although this bird is found in almost every part 

 of England, it does not reach Cornwall, yet is not unfrequent in 

 Devonshire, also in the western part of Wales, but no where so 

 plentiful as in the north of Wiltshire. We have added the synonym 

 of Bewick, although this author compares it with the Alauda cam- 

 pestris of Linnaeus, and Spipoletta of Buffon ; but the latter appears 

 to be a different bird, and as far as we know, not to be found in 

 England. — M. Temminck blends this with the Pipit Lark. 



Field Larks are said to be taken in great numbers in nets, at 

 Cairo, in Egypt, where they are seen for a few days the beginning 

 of September, no doubt on their passage elsewhere, as they are only 

 found there at the above season ; they appear to come from Barbary* 

 and are called in Egypt, Asfour Dsjebali (Mountain Birds). The 

 Provencals call it Colantine. — Sonnini's Trav. ii. p. 347. 



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