THE WOOD-LARK. 

 Alauda arborea, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 22. 



This species, easily distinguished from the Sky-Lark by its smaller size, 

 shorter tail, and more strongly marked light-coloured eye-streak, is local in its 

 distribution, and much less plentiful than the other. 



It has been noticed chiefly in the southern and south-eastern districts of 

 England, being rare in the middle and northern parts, while it is only locally 

 distributed in Wales, and rarely seen either in Scotland or Ireland. 



It is said to have decreased in numbers of late years, and is now unknown 

 in some of its former haunts. 



Throughout Europe it is found from the central parts of Scandinavia as far 

 south as the Mediterranean and eastwards to the Ural Mountains. 



According to Professor Newton in his edition of Yarrell's British Birds, 

 the Wood-Lark breeds early in the year, sometimes about the middle of March. 



The nest is placed in a slight hollow on the ground, concealed by a grass 

 tuft or small shrub, and is made of bents with some moss, and lined with finer 

 grasses ; the materials being more firmly compacted together than in the nest 

 of the Sky-Lark. The four or five eggs are pale yellowish- or greenish-white, 

 spotted and marked with reddish-brown and violet-grey, while sometimes the 

 markings blend into each other, forming a zone at the larger end. 



This species is more insectivorous than the Sky-Lark ; in summer grass- 

 hoppers form a considerable part of its food, but seeds are eaten during the 

 winter months, at which time the birds may be seen in small flocks, and have 

 a habit of squatting close to the ground in order to escape observation. 



The Wood- Lark is one of our finest songsters, its flute-like notes being 

 sweet and melodious, sometimes given as the bird perches on a branch, at others 

 delivered while it circles or hovers in the air. Its favourite haunts are among 

 the uncultivated parts of the country, and although not actually inhabiting woods, 

 it is seldom found far from trees, and is partial to open spaces skirted by plantations 

 in dry and sandy situations. 



The sexes do not differ in colour. 



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