CHAPTER XXXIY. 



The Titlark. 



Alauda trivialis, Lin. ; Alouette pipi, Buf. 



Desoeiption and Charactee. — This very pretty bird is called 

 by various names in different parts of the country. It is known 

 as the Titling, the Moss-Cheeper, and the Meadow Pipit, and 

 is familiar to most bird fanciers. Although a free singer, it 

 is far inferior, as an exponent of music, to the two first- 

 mentioned varieties of the Alauda family (the Skylark and 

 the Woodlark). In contour and beauty, or fineness of feather, 

 the Titlark has few equals, and is regarded by many fanciers 

 as a great acquisition to any aviary of wild birds. Tit- 

 larks are not very shy, but exhibit caution, and are suspicious 

 and wary ; hence, it is difficut to get within 80yds. or 40yds. 

 of them. They have a wavering and desultory method of 

 flying, and on this account are not difficult to shoot. 



The length of a fully-grown specimen is 5-Jin. only, of 

 which the tail measures 2^m. The beak is Jin. in length, 

 and is thin, sharp, and pointed ; the upper mandible is 

 blackish brown, and the under one whitish brown. The iris 

 is hazel. The head is somewhat elongated, and, together with 

 the hinder part of the neck, back, rump, and sides, of a 

 greenish brown colour, the middle of each feather having a 

 black spot. Over each eye is a pale coloured streak. The 

 throat, under part of neck, belly, and vent, are creamy white, 

 and the breast yellowish white. The throat, neck, and breast, 

 are profusely marked with longitudinal black spots. The 

 wings are dark brown, edged with greenish grey outside, 



