The Woodlark. 



243 



sMrts of a wood, and seldom lives in the open fields. It 

 does not stray far away from the locality it selects, and only 

 forsakes it when pressed by severe weather and want. It 

 builds its nest on heaths, beneath juniper and furze bushes ; 

 on the side of a hill, or in the sides of hedges bounding a 

 plantation : hence the common appellation of Woodlark." 

 The nest is constructed of dry grass, root fibres, and moss, 

 scantily lined with horse-hair or wool, but is small, and 

 indifferently made. The hen lays from four to six eggs, of 

 a palish dusky hue, beautifully mottled, and marked with 

 reddish brown and yellowish grey spots ; she incubates four- 

 teen days. The young do not leave the nest as soon as the 

 young of the Skylark, unless they are disturbed, or interfered 

 with. 



Woodlarks are not pugnacious birds, and seldom quarrel. 

 They are of a very affectionate disposition, and seem much at- 

 tached to their progeny. The male bird mostly roosts in a tree 

 in close proximity to his family, and pays them the most 

 assiduous attentions. His call note is " Lu-lu." 



These birds will not, under the most favourable conditions, 

 breed in confinement, as they are naturally very timid and 

 retiring in disposition. 



Methods of Capture. — The young birds may be taken, in 

 June, July, and August, with a tame Hawk and a net {vide 

 Chapter. XXXII., on the ^'Skylark"). Birds taken at this 

 time begin to sing almost immediately, but cease again during 

 the moulting season. They may also be taken in the month 

 of September, when they begin to associate, after the period 

 of the moult. At this time it is difficult to distinguish the 

 parent birds from the young ones, all being so much alike ; 

 the shanks and spurs are the best guides. At this season of 

 the year they fly high in the air, and therefore it is best to 

 choose hilly ground whereon to place the nets ; a newly- 

 ploughed field, or where the earth has been recently turned 

 over, is best. It may be necessary to dig up a patch for the 

 express purpose. The next acknowledged period for catching 

 Woodlarks is in January. Those obtained at this time are 

 generally in fine condition, soon commence to sing, and often 

 prove the best songsters. These birds resort to places where 

 the soil is light and gravelly, and in the vicinity of woods 

 with a southerly aspect, so that they may revel in sunshine. 



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