The WOOD LARK (_Corys alauda arborea_) is distinguished by its inferior
size, small wings, large, broad, and rounded tail, and scarcely
perceptible tuft upon its head. Its length never exceeds six inches,
its breadth is eleven and three-quarter inches, the wing measures three
and a half inches, and the tail two inches. The female is smaller than
her mate. The plumage is brownish yellow, shaded with rusty red; the
belly white, striped with black as far as the breast; the four exterior
tail-feathers are white, or of a yellowish shade; a light blue line
passes over the head at the base of the upper mandible, running above the
eyes, and around the crest. The feathers on the back of the young have a
dark border.
[Illustration: THE SKYLARK (_Alauda arvensis_).]
This beautiful bird is found extensively throughout Southern and Central
Europe, and a large portion of Central Asia; its favourite haunts are,
however, restricted to such barren plains and bare mountainous tracts
as would offer few attractions to other members of the family. In its
movements the Wood Lark is extremely vivacious and active; it runs with
short steps over the ground, carrying its body and crest so erect as
to give it an air of great self-importance and trimness. Should its
promenade be disturbed by the appearance of a Hawk or other bird of
prey, the little creature instantly lays itself flat upon the ground, if
possible in a small hollow, and in this attitude will remain so still
and motionless until the danger is past, as frequently to escape even
the keen scrutiny of its formidable pursuer. Unlike its congeners, this
species passes a considerable portion of its life perched amongst the
branches of trees, from which peculiarity it derives its distinguishing
name of Wood Lark. The breeding season commences with the spring, and
numerous and violent are the battles between the male birds during
this period of the year, for as their numbers usually exceed those of
the females, it is a matter of no slight difficulty for each to find
a mate. This important point, however, once settled, the males regain
all their wonted gentleness, and confine their activity entirely to
rendering themselves agreeable to the partner they have obtained with
so much courage and perseverance. The nest, which is very compact and
elaborate in its construction, is usually built in the grass, often under
the shelter of a pine or juniper tree, and is composed of dry blades of
fine grass. In shape, the little fabric resembles the half of a ball;
its interior is warmly and neatly lined with soft materials for the
reception of the eggs; these are usually four or five in number, white,
and thickly strewn with grey or light brown markings (see Coloured Plate
X., fig. 37). The female alone broods, but she is carefully tended during
her seclusion by her mate, who also assists in taking care of the young,
which are very soon capable of leaving the nest. No sooner is it vacated
than another brood replaces the first, and it is only when the work of
incubation is fully accomplished that the whole family unites to form a
small flock, and fly about the country in search of food. During these
expeditions many visits are paid to newly ploughed or stubble fields; and
even during their autumnal migration, which commences about the end of
October, entire days are often spent in exploring such spots in search
of the precarious supply of seeds and insects, upon which they rely for
food. These migratory excursions frequently extend as far as Africa,
but by February the birds are with us again, and may be sometimes seen
flying and singing cheerfully upon our mountains before the snow has
fully disappeared from the surface of the ground. The song of the Wood
Lark is extremely beautiful, and has inspired many eloquent writers
with a theme; indeed, the impression made upon the mind of a traveller
passing through the dreary plains inhabited by these birds, may well be
of a most enthusiastic description, when, amidst the deep silence that
surrounds him, this glorious little songster suddenly rises into the air,
and commences pouring out an uninterrupted flow of exquisite music as it
soars above him for half an hour at a time. Those who have been fortunate
enough to listen to the Wood Lark in the stillness of the night, speak
still more warmly of the effect its voice is capable of producing. We
would, however, by no means lead our readers to suppose that the song of
this bird can bear comparison with that of the Nightingale; nevertheless,
whilst the latter is only heard during two months of the year, the former
enlivens its native haunts from March to October, and, when caged, sings
with such unflagging zeal and spirit as to render it a great favourite
with all who have kept it in their aviaries. Large numbers of Wood Larks
are captured by the mountaineers during the night by means of nets spread
over the ground; few, however, survive captivity for more than two or
three years.