204 
THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
fancy that her lover was entertaining her with his 
flute, which he had frequently been in the habit of 
doing previous to his departure. 
The wood or tree lark (^Alanda Arbored) is one 
of our earliest and sweetest songsters, frequently 
singing at night when in captivity. In hot summer 
nights, woodlarks soar to a prodigious height, and 
hang singing in the air. 
While high in air, and poised upon his wings, 
Unseen, the soft, enamour'd woodlark sings. 
The titlark {Alanda Pratensis) sings exquisitely, 
either on the ground, perched on a tree, or flying, 
and has perhaps the finest note of all ; it can be made 
exceedingly tame, but seldom lives above three or 
four years when caged. I have seen them so tame 
as to come when called, and to sing at the command 
of their master. 
How beautifully the poet speaks of this sweet 
bird when stolen from his nest and confined : — 
The tuneful lark, who from his nest, 
Ere yet well fledged, is stolen away. 
With care attended, and caress'd. 
Will sometimes sing the live-long day ; 
