8 
WOOD tABK. 
where hedge-row timber abounds, the great ornament of the 
English landscape. 
It remains with us throughout the year. 
In hard weather a few collect together, but for the most 
part only the members of the original family, six or seven 
in all. They are easily tamed, and become exceedingly familiar, 
even answering, when called to, with a few liquid notes. 
They seem to roost at night both on the ground and in 
trees. 
The Wood Lark commences its flight from the ground, a 
bush, or the top of a tree, with a short straight progress, 
which it then begins to change for an upward spiral one, 
gradually enlarging the area of each circle as it ascends. When 
the summit, so to speak, is gained, it sometimes floats about 
in a similar manner; and at others, after hovering about, 
descends again as it rose, in circles; often with wings stretched 
out, and seemingly motionless; and when it again reaches the 
earth, it runs a few steps along the ground. Mr. Selby says 
that it occasionally remains an hour on the wing, and Bech- 
stein even several hours. On the ground they walk in rather 
a slow manner. 
Its food consists of insects, which it sometimes chases like 
the Flycatcher, but mostly seeks upon the ground, where it 
also meets with caterpillars v and worms. It also, at times, 
when the snow shuts up the sources of its usual supplies, 
eats small seeds, grain, and green herbage. 
Its note is very rich, and rather of a plaintive cast, and is 
prolonged, it is said, during the warm nights of summer. It 
has been heard even in the months of January and December, 
and is regularly commenced in March and April, if the 
weather be fine. It is uttered both when the musician is 
perched upon the branch of a tree, or when wheeling and 
hovering in the air in the manner already described, as is 
its wont:— 
‘High in the air and poised upon its wings, 
Unseen, the soft enamoured Wood Lark sings.* 
Selby and Montagu say that it is sometimes heard, though 
but rarely, from the ground. 
Early in March these birds pair, and commence building 
their nests about the middle of the month, if the season be 
favourable. 
The nest is placed upon the ground, beneath some low 
