244 British Cage Birds. 



Food and Teeatment. — The Woodlark in a wild state feeds 

 on a variety of insects, seeds, and green food. It eats flies, 

 the money spider," whicli weaves its web in the furze bushes, 

 ants and their eggs, small worms, caterpillars, hay beetles, &c. 

 In confinement, they will eat the food recommended for Sky- 

 larks, and must have a frequent supply of animal food, wasp 

 comb, mealworms, ants' eggs, &c. ; and occasionally, as a change, 

 a little soft white bread, well soaked in warm milk, and squeezed 

 almost dry, with a sprinkling of poppy seed dashed over it. 



When Woodlarks are first taken, feed them with egg and 

 bread, chopped very fine, mixed with hemp seed, bruised and 

 freed from the husks, and a few mealworms or ants' eggs. 

 They are exceedingly shy for some time after being caught. A 

 good plan to induce them to eat, is to strew the bottom of the 

 cage over liberally with fine gravel, and scatter some of the 

 food amongst it. When they become familiarised and tame, 

 give the same diet, in the ordinary way, as that recommended 

 for Skylarks ; but insect food is an indispensable requisite, and 

 must be given more frequently and abundantly than in the 

 case of Skylarks. 



Eeaeing the Young. — Take the young at twelve days old, 

 and treat them in the manner recommended for young Sky- 

 larks, only, when they are ready to be placed in a cage, provide 

 one with perches for their use. They are best caged separately. 



Distinguishing Marks of Cock and Hen. — There are various 

 methods of distinguishing the male from the female. In young 

 and newly-caught birds, select the longest-bodied one, and notice 

 the call — that of the male is longer and louder. His manner 

 of walking also is different ; he holds himself more upright, and 

 has a more pert and saucy appearance. The heel, or spur, of 

 the male is longer ; the wings, too, are longer, and ,he often 

 raises the feathers on his head like a crest. In mature birds, 

 the females are handsomer than the males, which is an excep- 

 tion to the rule prevalent among other species. The ground 

 colour of the plumage of the hen is paler, but the markings 

 are more distinct, and better defined, and their breasts are 

 more profusely spotted ; the coronet, or wreath extending 

 round the base of the skull, is clearer, and more readily 

 observable. 



Song. — The song of the Woodlark may be described as 

 exceedingly refined and exquisitely sweet. It is pure in tone. 



