CHAPTER XXXIII. 



THE WOODLARK. 



Alauda arhorea, Lin. ; Alouette des Bois an Cujelier, BuL 



Description and Character. — The Woodlark is a smart, attrac- 

 tive bird, and possesses a clear and resonant voice, very flute- 

 like in tone, and with great variation and modulation. It 

 sings at night, as well as by day, and has, on this account, 

 frequently been mistaken for the Nightingale. It is, how- 

 ever, a very timid, shy bird, and, as it does not sing, in 

 captivity, with the same freedom and generosity as its con- 

 gener, the Skylark, is not such a universal favourite. 



The Woodlark is not so sleek and genteel-looking as the 

 Skylark, but otherwise resembles it in form. It is Gin. in 

 length ; the tail is short, measuring only 2in. The bill is 

 straight, slender, and pointed, and about |-in. in length ; 

 the upper mandible is black, and the lower one brown, both 

 being paler (inclining to flesh colour) at the tips. The head 

 is reddish brown, marked with longitudinal blackish brown 

 streaks. The feathers are rather long, and, when the bird 

 is excited, he raises them, and so forms a sort of crest. 

 Behind the head is a conspicuous whitish grey mark, or 

 wreath, extending backward from eye to eye. The back part 

 of the neck is ashen brown ; the temples are brown ; the 

 nape, or lower portion, of the neck, and the upper part of 

 the back, are reddish brown, with dusky blackish spots in the 

 centre of the feathers ; the lower portion of the back is 

 greyish brown, and the rump and tail coverts pale yellowish 

 brown, tinged with red. The ground surrounding the cheeks,, 



K 



