Family ALAUDID^E. 



THE SKY-LARK. 



Alauda arvensis, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 22. 



Hardly any bird is better known, or so famed in poetry and song, and few 

 more widely distributed through the length and breadth of our land, than the 

 Sky-Lark. Countless numbers arrive on our shores during the autumn and 

 winter months from Northern and Central Europe, while at the same time many 

 of our home-bred birds, as well as immigrants, leave us during the cold season, 

 moving southwards and westwards. 



The Sky-Lark is found breeding all over Europe, but the race which inhabits 

 southern Italy, South-eastern Europe, and the Mediterranean islands is said to 

 be slightly different to the typical form. About the end of February or beginning 

 of March the flocks break up and pairing begins, although they do not usually 

 commence their nesting duties until the middle of April. 



The nest is always placed on the ground, frequently in a slight depression 

 in the soil concealed by a tuft of herbage on some grassy upland, or perhaps 

 more often among growing corn, which affords a safe retreat. It is composed 

 of dead grasses, with a lining of finer fibres, and contains four or five eggs, 

 occasionally only three ; in ground colour greyish, with closely distributed 

 olive-brown freckles and markings. Two broods are reared in the season, most 

 of the young birds leaving the neighbourhood as soon as they are able to do 

 for themselves. The food consists of the seeds of weeds and other plants, as 

 well as greenstuff, insects, and small worms ; in time of snow they are often 

 hard pressed for nourishment. 



The most striking act in the life history of the Sky-Lark is his wonderful 

 song, made even more effective by the manner in which it is delivered. This 

 joyous and "heart-lifting" lay fills the air as the bird ascends higher and higher 

 till almost out of sight, ''melting in the flood of light," and is continued while 

 he floats downwards, head to wind, when he ceases and drops like a stone. 



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