WOOD-LARK. 
A LAUD A ARBOREA. 
Knowledge concerning the distribution of this species throughout the British Islands appears somewhat 
limited ; and I regret my own observations can throw no additional light on the subject. 
In Scotland I failed entirely to identify the Wood-Lark with any degree of certainty, two or three 
localities in the south of Yorkshire being the furthest north at which this admirable songster was met with. 
As far as I am able to judge, the bird is exceedingly local during summer; and, with the exception of the 
above-mentioned northern county, I have only observed the AN ood-Lark about Harrow-on-the-IIill in Middlesex, 
and in the well-timbered portion of the east of Sussex. 
I am ignorant whether any migrants from the north of Europe arrive on our coasts during autumn 
or early winter. Wood-Larks have never come under my observation while making the passage of the North 
Sea; neither were any of their wings recognized among the many hundreds of those of the Sky-Lark received 
from the light-ships off the east coast *. 
As winter approaches there is, during some seasons at least, if not annually, a general movement of 
this species from north to south along the east coast, and from east to west on the shores of the English 
Channel. In the latter end of November and early in December 1879, snow fell for several days on the 
coast of Norfolk, and 1 remarked a few stragglers of this species passing south over the sand banks near 
Yarmouth. Numbers of Sky-Larks were taking the same course, moving southward in continuous streams 
for several hours daily. The severe snow-storm in January 18G7 drove countless Larks and other small birds 
along the coast of Sussex for several consecutive days. Many Wood- Larks also appeared, the whole of these 
birds on this occasion being obviously far more affected by the cold than their relatives. While the Sky-Larks 
flew westward in clouds from shortly after daybreak till between 2 and 3 p.m., the unfortunate Wood-Larks 
were repeatedly settling and gathering together in small flocks on any spot that was free from snow. Here 
they would remain huddled together till disturbed by a near approach, evidently worn out by want of food 
and exposure to cold, and retaining scarcely sufficient strength to get on wing and resume their weary journey. 
Some idea of the numbers of the Wood-Larks in this locality may he formed from the fact that I counted 
between six and seven dozen in the possession of one bird-catcher alone, who was working las net on the downs 
between Rottingdean and Newhaven. Many others of the fraternity had from three to four dozen ; and a 
dealer secured forty dozen at the price of three shillings the dozen. 
In open winters it is probable that there is but a small accession to the residents m the vicinity of le 
* There could be no chance of confusing the wings of the two species. Though the rule as to size would hardly hold good (I “ 
occasional Sky-Lark, probably a young bird, quite as small as the Wood-Lark), there is an unmistakable ’difference 
J 1 , i i a ti,nn fhA Rkv-Lark In old skins or stuffed specimens tins aistiucuou 
markings on the wings of the Wood-Lark being tar more plain ye. ' length and shape of certain of the feathers at 
is not particularly clear ; but in fresh-killed birds it is most conspicuous. In addition to tins 
once indicate to which species the wing belonged. 
