CHAPTER XXXII. 



The Skylark. 



Alauda arvensis, Lin. ; L'Alouette, Buf. 



Desoeiption and Chaeactee. — Among the numerous species 

 and varieties of British song birds, there is none so widely- 

 known, and so justly and highly esteemed, as the Skylark. 

 In addition to its qualifications as an exponent of music, 

 the Skylark is a bold, free, elegant, and majestic bird, full 

 of confidence, spirit, and pluck, and is decidedly more 

 aristocratic in contour and general appearance than the 

 much-vaunted Nightingale. The hues of its plumage, however, 

 are not so gay and dazzling as those of many of our native 

 birds. Other points in favour of the Skylark are, that it readily 

 suits itself to circumstances, is easy of domestication, is open 

 and confiding, and sings with as much freedom as a house- 

 bred Canary, either in an occupied room, or in a crowded 

 thoroughfare. Nothing seems to deter it, or darint its 

 courage, or even cause it the least fear or trepidation. It 

 has the pluck of a Game cock, and the gentleness of a 

 Dove ; and these characteristics are as prominent and observ- 

 able as are the freedom of its manner and the eloquence 

 of its song. Such a combination of rare and admirable 

 qualities are seldom found in any bird ; and as the Sky- 

 lark possesses, in addition, a robust constitution, and a 

 social and tractable disposition, it is rendered at once an 

 object of almost universal admiration. 



An adult specimen measures from 6^in. to 7in. long ; 

 the tail is 2|in. The bill, |^in. long, is straight, and rather 



