a WOOD-LARK.
smith const. There nre, however, a few spots on the downs, some two or three miles inland, where a bird or two
may lie oliserved at almost anytime the species is looked for between November and the end of January.
During the siiow-slonus in the first and second weeks of December 1S^2 I did not recognize a single specimen
or the Wood-Lirk on wing, though considerable flocks of Sky-Larks wore moving west. I discovered, on
consulting one or two of the professional bird-catchers, that my experience was much the same as their own. I
could learn of but one bird having been noticed ; this was captured near Scaford.
When watched on wing against a background that shows up the bird, the difference between this species
and the Sky-Lark is easily recognized. As it flits past the observer, the plumage on the upper portion (back
and wings) of the latter appears of a uniform brown tint, while the dark brown and white markings on the
Wood-Lark at once attract attention.
L A R K .
Ah AVI)A ARFENSI8.
TiIEnr arc few parts of the British Islands in which the Lark is not a resident; immense flocks also
arrive in this country during autumn from the north of Europe. On almost every occasion when meeting
them at sea, I remarked that they flew in compact bodies of several hundreds, seldom showing signs nf
fatigue, though a few now and then fell out from the ranks and, after hovering for a short time round
the steamboat, at length settled on board; then, creeping into the first quiet corner, they puffed out their
feathers and speedily dropped off to steep.
During the years I was in correspondence with the light-ships oil' the east coast Larks were by
far the most numerous of the birds taken on hoard the vessels*; Starlings were next; and from the
crews I learned that Whealears, in certain states of wealbcr, proved frequent victims—none, however,
were captured during the autumn of ls72 or the following spring.
While steaming in company with the herring-fleet in the North Sea during Ihe autumn of 1872, I
Tell in with Larks in large numbers, flying direct for the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts, almost daily from
the 7th of October to the 9th of Novemlier. At the same time that these birds arc making their way
in such swarms across the North Sea, they are also landing on the shores of the Channel or passing
along the coast. I I y notes for 1S*2 and the following year contain frequent references to the movements
of this species along the south coast, between Shorcham and Ivinoing, as well as the occasional landing of
large bodies. The course followed by these birds during autumn is decidedly uncertain ; one day the whole
of the flocks proceed west, and on the next the direction is probably reversed. On the approach of winter
storms, and during the continuation of severe weather, they invariably make their way towards the west.
"1882, September 28, Wind south. Larks continued Hying west during the greater part of the day.
"October 2. Strong wind, west-south-west. Larks in considerable numbers flying east before the
strong w mil.
"October 3. Wind changeable, west and north-west. Larks
towards the west.
"October 10.
"October 13.
" October 20.
Larks Hying west.
'• December !».
large Hocks
Wind south-east; weather line. The whole of (he Larks Hyi
Wind north-cast. Larks Hying cast.
fight wind from the south; after midday the wind freshened from the south-west.
On this day the whole of the Pipits moved east.
Wind north-cast, cold, and snow three inches deep. After 9 a.m. wind shifted northwest,
when Larks commenced flying nest i
M Hint .lurinr; hnjj nrnlhiT ill nut
ID • Sewnrp.' JSIStsI of Um crew hi
lie, D Hi 11 liltu ftt*M I n of biid
numbers."
-yerof emit MtWMl)