156 
BEAUTIFUL BIEDS. 
to the observation of birds of prey and other enemies, 
the colouring of these birds has been assimilated so 
nearly to that of the ground, that they can scarcely 
be distinguished, even when close, by an ordinary 
observer ; and however keen may be the sight of a 
hawk, the plumage of the Lark is so exactly like the 
earth upon which it moves, that although its presence 
might be detected by watching, it would never 
attract a passing enemy. The food of the Lark con- 
sists of grain and different seeds ; worms and other 
insects, as well as the tender blades of grass, form like- 
wise a portion of its fare. 
The genus by which the junction is effected 
between the Larks and the Sturnidce, appears to be 
Macronyx of Swainson, the Crescent-larks of Africa, 
or Alauda Magna of Linna)ns, and of the American 
ornithologists. The similarity of the latter bird to 
the Starlings is so apparent as to have caused their 
being placed amongst them by modern naturalists. 
Wilson, liowever, remarks that in the particular form 
of his bill, in his manners, plumage, mode and place of 
building liis nest, Nature has clearly pointed out his 
proper family. Audubon jcalls it the Meadow Lark, 
or American Starling ; but whether it be a member of 
the SturnidcB or of the Alaudince, the affinity between 
the two groups appears to be remarkably close. 
Two species only of this sub-family, the Skylark 
and the Woodlark, resort to Great Britain. The 
latter is by no means so abundant a species as the 
former ; neither is its sweetly -warbled song so gene- 
rally heard. It is confined to the southern and 
western parts of England, and according to Montagu 
