The CALANDRA LARK (_Melanocorypha Calandra_), which we select as the
type of this group, is the most celebrated of all the species inhabiting
Southern Europe. It exceeds most of its congeners in size, the length
of its body being from seven to eight inches, its breadth fifteen to
seventeen inches, the wing five and a quarter inches, and the tail two
and a half inches. The plumage is of a reddish brown, marked with black
along its upper portion; the feathers on the wing-covers are tipped
with white, thus producing the effect of two distinct white lines; the
shoulder-feathers are bordered with white, and the exterior tail-feathers
entirely of that hue. The under parts of the body are whitish yellow,
streaked with brown along the upper portion of the breast, and the sides
of the neck are marked with an irregular black spot; the eyes are light
brown, the beak and feet horn colour. The coat of the young bird is of a
reddish yellow upon the back, the individual feathers being edged with a
paler shade. The head is marked with round spots, and with one irregular,
pale black patch.
[Illustration: THE CALANDRA LARK (_Melanocorypha Calandra_).]
These birds abound in Southern Europe, and occasionally in the
south-eastern parts of our continent; they are also met with in
Central Asia, North America, Northern Africa, India, and China, being
very numerous in the latter country. In Asia the Calandra Lark almost
exclusively inhabits the boundless steppes, whilst in other parts of the
world it shows no particular preference as to situation, frequenting
agricultural districts or barren tracts with equal impartiality. Though
usually of a social disposition, it separates itself from the rest of
its companions during the breeding season, and watches over its little
partner with most jealous care; as soon, however, as the labours of
incubation are accomplished the various couples again congregate, and
form large flocks. Its general habits resemble those described as common
to the whole family, the principal difference being that the Calandra
Lark, unlike its congeners, frees the seed or corn from the husk before
swallowing it. The nest is built of dry stalks or fine roots carelessly
woven together, and placed either behind a clod of earth or under a small
bush, sometimes amongst corn, a small hollow being always prepared for
its reception. The brood usually consists of four or five large, round,
white or yellowish white eggs, thickly covered with light brown or grey
spots.
Much has been said and written in praise of the song of the Calandra
Lark, but words are quite inadequate to describe the effect it is capable
of producing upon the minds of all who listen as it pours forth an
almost unceasing flow of sweet sounds, combining in the most surprising
manner, not merely the great variety of tones constituting its own
peculiar song, but the notes and music uttered by almost every other
kind of bird, the whole being exquisitely adorned and blended by the
little vocalist, who thus produces an ever-changeful strain, which must
be heard under the wide canopy of heaven before its full beauty can be
appreciated. When in a room, the whole performance is too loud to permit
the hearer adequately to appreciate the versatile powers of the little
songster, who not unfrequently gives utterance to a surprising flow of
varied cadences, without any visible exertion of the throat, the sounds
appearing, strangely enough, to proceed entirely from the beak. With us
these Larks are not much esteemed as household pets, owing, as we have
said, to the loudness of their voice; but in Spain great numbers are
caught for domestication, the capture being generally achieved at night
with the aid of sheep-bells and dark lanterns, the birds thus deluded
remaining stationary, under the impression that only a flock of sheep is
approaching, and thus their pursuers are enabled to enclose multitudes of
them in their nets before the unsuspecting victims can escape.