BIRDS 163 



SHOEE LAEK. 



Otocorys alpestris (L. ). 



The Shore Lark is quite unknown in the interior of Lakeland, 

 but has occurred upon our coast in three or four instances. In 

 February 1890 three Shore Larks frequented the brow-edge of 

 Skinburness marsh for some days, until shot in fact for identi- 

 fication. They were passing wild, and generally flew off to the 

 fields when disturbed. On the 29th of October that year 

 Arthur Bolton shot three Shore Larks on his farm in Walney 

 Island. He sent me one of them that I might identify the 

 species for him. This was a male, but the two that he re- 

 tained for himself appear from their plumage to be male and 

 female. The birds which Mr. Nicol shot on Skinburness Marsh, 

 as above mentioned, were two males and a female. Other 

 specimens of the Shore Lark obtained in Lakeland are the 

 following : one shot near Eskmeals many years ago, in the 

 collection at Corney ; another shot near St. Bees some thirty 

 years since ; and a third killed in the fields near Silloth, pos- 

 sessed by Mr. Routledge of that place. 



Order PICARIuE. Fam. GYPSELIDJE. 



SWIFT. 



Cypselus apus (L.). 



This Swift appears to be more independent of seasons, or 

 rather of winds, than most of the summer immigrants, always 

 appearing in Lakeland by the commencement of May, and 

 generally a day or two earlier. Its passage is extended over a 

 period of two or three weeks. In 1891 the species did not 

 become numerous round Carlisle until the 1 4th of May. Though 

 these birds are fond of hawking insects above our highest moun- 

 tain-tops, they are generally noticed rather later on the fells 

 than in warm and sheltered situations. Swifts do not cluster 

 together before returning to Africa in August (and September), 

 quite in Hirundine fashion, but they do congregate in the air 

 socially before the final start is made. For example, on the 

 16th of this August [1891], I long watched between thirty and 



