280 LARK. 



Dusky Lark, Gen. Syn.Sup. ii. 227. Lewin, Birds, iii. pi. 94. Br. Zool. 1812. 482. 



Donov. Birds, iv. pi. 76. 

 Rock Lark, Lin. Trans, iv. p. 41. (Montagu), pi. 2. f. 3. — the egg. Shaw's Zool. x. 535. 



THIS species rather exceeds seven inches in length, and 

 weighs from six to seven drachms. Bill slender, three quarters of 

 an inch long, dusky, with a darker point ; plumage above dusky 

 greenish ash-colour, the middle of each feather darker ; fore part of 

 the neck and breast mottled dusky white and brownish ash-colour ; 

 chin and throat dusky white; wings like the back, but the feathers 

 edged with a pale colour ; the four first prime quills are nearly of 

 equal lengths, the second a trifle the longest, the two second quills 

 almost even with the first at the ends ; tail three inches long, even, 

 in colour like the quills, the outer feather has the outer web and 

 half the inner cinereous white ; the next whitish at the tip ; legs 

 brown ; hind claw crooked, no longer than the toe, which is of the 

 same length as the outer One before. 



This, till within a few years past, has not been sufficiently dis- 

 criminated. I observed it first among the preserved birds of the late 

 Mr. Leman, where it was marked as a singular Variety. 



Mr. Walcot and Mr. Lewin afterwards found it in the marshes of 

 Kent. Colonel Montagu met with it in more places than one, in 

 similar situations, and has furnished the world with a history and 

 manners. This Gentleman observes, that it is only to be seen on the 

 sea shores, or at least, a little more than a quarter of a mile from the 

 sea water, and especially in rocky situations ; and no where except in 

 places where the tide occasionally covers. It makes the nest in the 

 tufts of grass, on the shelves of rocks, &c. by the sea side, where it 

 is rarely to be got at without the help of a ladder : it is composed of 

 dry grass, marine plants, and a little moss T lined with finer grass, 

 and a few long hairs : the eggs of a dirty white, spotted with brown, 

 most so at the larger end. This species is not observed to associate 

 in large flocks, like other Larks, seldom more than three or four 

 being seen together. Marine insects seem to be the principal food. 



