THE WOODLARK. 
Although I demur to ranking the woodlark first, there is no 
question that among the lark tribe the bird in question is en- 
titled to rank second. He may easily be distinguished from 
the skylark by the comparative shortness of his tail, a reddish- 
brown streak above each eye, and from being altogether a 
smaller bird. Like the skylark he builds his nest on the ground, 
but generally under a hedge or bush rather than in the open 
meadow. TJnlike the skylark he is a perching bird, and will 
sing on the wing, hovering high in the clouds, or on the limb 
of a tree. It is a fact not 
generally known, that the 
woodlark, like the night- 
ingale, will sing at night ; 
indeed, there is little doubt 
that among persons not 
well acquainted with bird 
music the song of one is 
frequently mistaken for 
that of the other. 
The male woodlark is 
not easily mistaken for 
the female. The poll of 
the cock is reddish brown, the sides of the head brown, the 
breast is dingy yellow with brown spots, the tail is brown, 
as are the wings, and two of the feathers of the latter have a 
triangular light red spot upon them. The hen is of a deeper 
colour on the poll, the markings are altogether darker, and 
the spots on the breast are more numerous. Moreover, it 
may be as well to mention that (contrary to the rule) the female 
bird is handsomer than the male, and that she sings. However, 
this faculty is not peculiar to the hen woodlark. All hens of 
the lark species make a twittering, which often assists the 
fraudulent bird- seller in passing them ofi* for cocks. The note 
of the hen, however, is faint and jerky, and very little experience 
will secure the bird buyer from imposition. 
Nesting and Snaring the Woodlark. — To secure fledgling 
woodlarks, the neighbourhood of woods and coppices should be 
searched in the second week in May. The nest is rather loosely 
made, and composed of coarse moss, hair, and wool. Most 
generally five nestlings will be found in a nest, and those of the 
181 
THE WOODLARK. 
