SKY-LAEK *. 



ALAUDA ARVENSIS, Linn. 



Alauda arvensis, Linn. S. N. i. p. 287 (1766) ; Naum. iv. 

 p. 156; Macg. ii. p. 163; Heivitson, i. p. 176; Yarr. 

 ed. 4, i. p. 614; Dresser, iv. p. 307. 



Alouette des Champs, French ; Felcl-Lerche, Lerche, German ; 

 Alondra, Zurriaga, Terrera, Spanish. 



Too universally distributed to be unknown, too 

 conspicuous to be unnoticed, too attractive to remain 

 unadmired or unappreciated, the Sky-Lark needs no 

 description. There is no corner of the British Isles 

 which is not enlivened by his song, for his numbers do 

 not perceptibly diminish, albeit to his other attractions 

 he adds, unfortunately for himself, the reputation of 

 being a savoury morsel for the gourmand, and a profit- 

 able investment for the professional birdcatcher. The 

 extension of cultivation, which has probably caused the 

 diminution of the Goldfinch and other species, by de- 

 stroying the plants which formed their favourite food, 

 has operated in favour of the Sky-Lark, which delights 



* I consider it fair to my Subscribers to state that in this article, 

 and a few others on the family of Larks, I hare called in the aid 

 of the able and ever ready pen of a far more competent and expe- 

 rienced writer than myself. — Lilford. 



