504 



SKYLARK. 



being dirty yellow, and some of the feathers on 

 the under side being edged with white. 



A very well known species, and one whose 

 history most persons are acquainted with: it is 

 very common throughout this country, and is 

 almost universally diffused over Europe; it is 

 likewise found in many parts of Asia and Africa ; 

 in Egypt they generally appear for a few days in 

 the month of September : immense quantities of 

 these birds are said to be taken in Germany, for 

 which there is a duty paid at Leipsic, that at the 

 rate of one half-penny per dozen amo.unts to about 

 1 2,000 crowns per annum, which may seem pro- 

 digious, but from Michaelmas to Martinmas the 

 fields are literally covered with them : they are 

 likewise taken in great abundance in England and 

 other parts of Europe. If the above account re- 

 lative to the duty be correct, the enormous quan- 

 tity of upwards of seventeen millions must be 

 caught in one twelvemonth's time ! which appears 

 too great a number for any person to appreciate ; 

 and which is certainly too improbable to occur : 

 no doubt Dr. Latham, from whose work the ac- 

 count is extracted, must have been misinformed 

 as to the sum. 



In the morning early these birds may be ob- 

 served rising perpendicularly in the atmosphere 

 to a great height, singing the whole time most 

 delightfully, and increasing as they mount, till 

 they are nearly imperceptible; upon their descent 

 they fly in an oblique direction, unless attracted 

 by their mates, or alarmed by the sudden appear- 



