The present species is known amongst bird-catchers by the name of the
grasshopper lark, and it was originally placed amongst the larks by
ornithologists, but has been very properly removed from them by later
authors, as it wants the most characteristic mark of that family,
namely, its long claw. It is a very rare bird in the neighbourhood of
London, and I have never been able to procure but one of them, which I
lost the first winter, by letting it wash too much; in confinement it
requires the same sort of management as recommended for the two last
species, and it will succeed very well. I am not acquainted with their
song, never having lived in any neighbourhood where they visit, but I
have been credibly informed that they have none but a note like the
chirping of the grasshopper; this may probably be the case, but I have
often heard the same report of some of our finest songsters, which
people had confused with very common birds, there being very few who do
not confuse, under the general name of white-throats, the common
fly-catcher, both white-throats, the greater pettychaps, and the
blackcaps, when young; and many even confuse with these the willow wren,
wood wren, and lesser pettychaps: this tribe of birds being only summer
visitants, are less known than any others.
These birds are not uncommon in several parts of England; they are said
to be plentiful on Malmesbury Common, Wiltshire, in summer, where they
breed; they are also frequently seen in Norfolk and Suffolk, and in
various other parts, where they build their nest among some high grass
or sedge, in which it is so concealed that it is with difficulty found,
except by watching the old birds carrying food to their young ones; or
when building, they may be seen carrying materials to construct their
nest.
In a wild state these birds feed entirely on insects, such as flies,
moths, butterflies, spiders, ants; and their eggs, small beetles, and
numerous other sorts, so that in confinement they will frequently
require insect food.