The SKYLARK, or FIELD LARK (_Alauda arvensis_), is distinguished from its
congeners by the slender formation of its body, its weak short conical
beak, and its somewhat pointed wings, the third quill of which is longer
than the rest; its tail, of moderate length, is slightly excised at
the extremity, and its delicate feet are furnished with somewhat short
toes. The length of this species is about six inches and three-quarters,
its breadth twelve inches and a quarter; the wing measures from three
to four inches, and the tail from two inches and a half to two and
three-quarters. The colour of the plumage is reddish brown upon the back,
the under part of the body being white, the head distinctly spotted with
brown, and the sides marked with dark streaks; the bridles and sides
of the neck are of a lighter colour than the rest of the feathers; the
exterior tail quills are white, as is the outer web of the second quill;
the eye is reddish brown, the beak blueish grey, and the feet reddish
grey.
The Skylark abounds over the whole continent of Europe and its contiguous
islands; in Asia it is met with as far north as Kamschatka, and we think
that it may now be numbered amongst North American birds, Audubon having
introduced many species into that country, in the hope of their becoming
naturalised. Though somewhat rarely seen, Field Larks have been known to
reach Egypt in the course of their migrations. We ourselves have seen
large flocks inhabiting the Castilian highlands, and they are said to
be plentiful in Algiers and Greece during the colder parts of the year.
In England the Lark is always regarded as the harbinger of spring, as
with us it has usually returned and selected its home by the end of
April. In its behaviour this species closely resembles its congeners,
but, unlike some of them, it is extremely restless, running or flying
from one spot to another with a constant change of flight or step, at
one moment walking slowly, repeatedly ducking its head as it goes, and
the next instant darting along with the rapidity of a plover. When in
the air its evolutions are most varied. While singing it usually hovers
gently, or rises rapidly with regular strokes of its wings, as it carols
forth its well-known lay, which may be frequently heard at intervals
from early morning until after sunset, the little songster appearing
quite regardless of all other pleasures or desires, as it rises higher
and higher towards the clouds, which sometimes seem to hide it from our
view. The night is passed upon the ground, but at the first dawn of day,
this "herald of the morn," as it has been aptly called, is amongst the
first to greet the rising sun, its matin song being uttered whilst still
perched upon the spot that has afforded it a shelter for the night.
Like the bird we last described, the Skylark lives at peace with its
brotherhood until the time for choosing a mate, at which season regular
pitched battles are of constant occurrence between the males, who pull
and tear each other in the air until the whole party fall struggling
to the ground, usually, however, without any serious injury, and quite
ready to renew the combat at the first sound of their antagonist's voice;
the females, meanwhile, not only seem to enjoy the scene, but sometimes
assist the mate they would prefer.
The nest is constructed about the beginning of May, the birds generally
selecting a corn-field as most suitable for building purposes. They
choose a piece of ground some two or three hundred paces in extent,
and on this they settle, the whole party being as near together as the
required space will allow, so that they thus form a kind of little
colony. Male and female both assist in excavating the small cavity
necessary for the safe deposit of the nest, which is built of stubble,
blades of grass, or fibrous roots, the interior being occasionally lined
with horsehair. In this humble retreat the female lays five or six eggs
of a greenish yellow or reddish white tinge, covered with brown or grey
spots (see Coloured Plate X., fig. 37). Both parents assist in the work
of incubation, but the largest share devolves upon the female. The young
leave the nest very shortly after being hatched, and seek shelter in
the neighbouring fields, the old birds being immediately busied with
the cares of a second family. Of all the numerous enemies by which
the Skylarks are surrounded, man himself stands pre-eminent; hundreds
of thousands are annually destroyed, merely to furnish a dainty food;
and we learn from a continental writer, Elzholz, that they are so much
sought after in Germany, that on one special occasion to which he refers
403,455 dead Larks were sold in the town of Leipsic alone, although, he
tells us, by far the greater number caught in that part of the country
were disposed of in the villages before they could reach the markets in
the city. These birds are attracted by any light of unusual brightness,
and are sometimes allured to their destruction by a rapidly revolving
mirror. Amongst their feathered enemies the hawk known as the "Hobby"
is the most formidable--indeed, so extreme is the terror evinced by
the little songsters on its appearance, that, if escape by other means
is impossible, they will seek refuge in a passing wagon or similar
hiding-place; we ourselves knew an instance in which a Skylark, driven to
desperation, sought protection from its dreaded foe upon the pommel of a
horseman's saddle.
* * * * *
The STILTED LARKS (_Certhilaudæ_) are a group inhabiting Africa,
remarkable for their elongated bodies, small heads, and large beaks, the
upper mandible of which terminates in a slight hook; they are likewise
distinguished by their comparatively short wings, long, rounded tail, and
very high tarsi, furnished with toes and nails of moderate length.
* * * * *
The SPUR LARKS (_Macronyx_) are distinguished by their straight, short,
and powerful beaks, elevated tarsi and feet, furnished with large toes,
and by their variegated plumage. The large, somewhat curved nail upon the
hinder toe must, however, be regarded as the peculiar characteristic of
these birds.
[Illustration: THE SENTRY LARK (_Macronyx capensis_).]