326 
SKYLARK. 
sheltered by tall grass or herbage; it is rather 
carelessly formed of strong bent or grasses, lined 
interiorly with finer materials. 
In the larger towns, and on the Continent, this 
bird used to be, and to a certain extent is still 
esteemed at the table, and during winter the 
flocks were netted extensively, bringing in this 
country a price of from three to four shillings per 
dozen. As a song bird, they are also esteemed, 
both from the facility with which they are 
reared, and for their capacity as songsters in co»- 
finement, for this purpose their price seems 
almost extravagant, twelve or fifteen shillings 
being “ a common price for a good bird." * In 
its geographical range, the Skylark seems pretty 
generally and commonly distributed over Europe, 
decreasing to the northward, and there becoming 
migratory in winter. It extends into the Asiatic 
continent, but how far, or in what proportion, is 
not accurately ascertained. 
The upper parts of the plumage are yellowish 
brown, having the margins of the feathers pale 
wood brown. In the breeding season the centres 
of the feathers assume a deeper and richer tint, 
and the pale edges partially fall off. Above the 
eyes there is a pale yellowish streak, and the 
feathers of the crown are elongated, and capable 
of being erected at will ; this formation of some 
part of the plumes, covering the crown, runs 
through the known species, and will almost rank 
as a generic character. The tail is considerably 
* Yarrell, i. p. 413. 
