THE WOOD LARK. 
667 
party or in flocks composed of two or more broods, with 
their parents. They leave us about the end of October 
or the beginning of November.’' 
During the breeding-season the male sings most 
industriously, and yet his song will be heard late in 
the autumn. By this time almost all the other birds are 
silent, but the Wood Lark still pours forth his lovely 
strains, as though he bore an everlasting spring in his 
bosom. In the autumn the young males of the season also 
commence singing,—a fact worthy of notice,—for young 
Wood Larks are the only song-birds who are able, before 
they are many months old, to sing as well as the old 
birds and to perform without bungling. In desert and 
arid localities this bird’s song takes the place of that of 
the nightingale, and it is rare that he who is acquainted 
with the lovely song of the first, ever wishes himself in 
the more beautiful glades where the latter reigns queen. 
All bird fanciers are anxious to possess this rich 
songster as a companion. In the spring the Wood Lark 
is easily taken by means of lime-twigs attached to the 
branches of any small isolated bush near the bird’s haunt. 
But its capture must be effected before love for its mate 
has taken too fast hold on the heart of the little songster, 
otherwise the poor creature will, if separated from the 
object of its affection, soon pine away and die. The 
Wood Lark may be fed on a paste composed of curds, 
wheaten bread, and carrots, pounded and mixed together ; 
it is a most indefatigable songster. The cage must be 
covered at the top with canvas, so that when the bird is 
carried away by poetic fervour, and seeks to soar from its 
narrow habitation, it may not injure itself. This bird 
becomes very tame in confinement, and soon learns to 
recognize its master, who it lulls to slumber at night 
4 T 
