102 The Skylark. - 
being an early bird to rise in the morning—in spring 
pouring out its mellow tones, and catching the first 
beam of sunlight on its wings: it was this, no doubt, 
that called forth the good proverb, indicative of health 
—“Rise with the Lark.” When beginning its song 
from the ground, it rises in the air almost perpendicu- 
larly, and by many springs and hovers: gains an 
immense height, till it is scarcely discernible by the 
naked eye, pouring forth its song the whole time, and 
when descending, takes an oblique direction till within 
about a dozen or twenty yards from the ground, when, 
if the mate calls its attention, it will fall like a stone to 
the earth, with the wings close to its body, only open- 
ing them again when within a few feet of the ground, 
to steady its alighting. In July it ceases singing. 
It seems cruel to keep this bird in a cage, sur- 
rounded by prison walls, the greatest pleasure being 
denied it, that of soaring to the realms above, enjoying — 
there the purest air, charming all around with its 
delightful music, and where, on its return, it can 
refresh itself on the freshest and sweetest tuft of grass | 
that grows. 
