LARK.
A bead wind appears to draw larks toward! the laud, though it is bnpoaaible to basard as opinion: as
to tba point From which the birds arriving on the south roast bait started on their journey. On the
8th of October it will be awn that they lauded before a light favouring breeze.
"188S, Octoln-r 5. Wind north, strong. Larks crossing against the wind all day.
"October 0, Wind north, strong. Immense numbers of Larks crossing all day and landing till
after dusk. In a n t e to ascertain their condition I tired one shot into a dense flock sweeping low over
the shiugle-bauks just after dark, and on examination their crips proved perfectly empty.
"October 8. Light wind, south; fine. Large quantities of Larks still lauding.
"October III. Wind south-east; line. Larks flying west."
A heavy full of snow and a cold wind from the north-west is certain to bring myriads of Larks and
ether land-birds along the south const, intent on making their way from cost to west; occasionally they
pnss in continuous streams from daylight till dark. Larks are usually the first to show, a slight covering
of snow lieing sufficient to put them in motion, while it require! a few days of severe weather before
Fieldfares, Itedwings, or Blackbirds appear in any nutuliers. The storm of January 1 Sij~ caused by far
the most extensive migration of small birds 1 have ever witnessed in Sussex; from the summit of t he
clilfs between Hot I ingiiean and Nowhavcn, as far as one could see inland over the Downs, these endless
swarms extcmbsl ; for at least a mile at sea also clouds of Larks and Starlings intermixed with other species
were working nest, sweeping closely over the water to avoid the force of the wind.
At such times the whole of the birdeatehiug fraternity of Brighton are engaged in the work of
destruction. Should a strong cold wind hem the north-west be blowing, the course of the birds is close to
the ground, aud thousands arc captured in the nets. There is great competition for what are considered
the best pilches, numbers of men leaving Brighton before midnight nail depositing their pacha on t he
ground they intend to occupy, to reserve the spot; they seek what shelter they can till daylight
behind some bank or stack. From thirly to fifty dozen arc commonly caplured, aud the takes not
unfrcquently reach as high as eighty dozen. I have often t a n over two hundred clapnets at work on
a favourable day; and as scores of drag-nets arc out as soon as dusk sets in, some idea of the number
of birds taken may be formed.
When pressed by want during continued snow-storms. Larks are forced to put up with green meat
in order to sustain life; the leaves of the winter-cabbages in the tields ore at times entirely consumed,
the veins alone being left, presenting a most singular appearance; turnip-greens also seller enu-ideraldy
from their attacks. The terrible hurricane of drifting sleet and snow in January 18*1 Inflicted great
suffering on all the various species of small birds in Sussex. On the H t h several Larks in an exceedingly
weak and helpless state alighted on our lawn to feed on the bread and scraps provided for the
usual pensioners; on the following day I watched hundreds of their dead bodies swept out by the tloodtide
from the wenls on the mud-bnnks in Shorcham harbour in which they had sought refuge at the
commencement of the gale.
A scarce bird not unfrcquently falls into the possession of one unacquainted with lis vnlne, and the
occurrence consequently remains unrecorded. Towards the latter end of the flight time in January 1607, whde
Larks were still passing over the south coast, I drove along the road between Hottingdean and Newhaven to
make notes on the various species moving towards the west. After watching the passage for several hours
1 pulled my couiejance up at the roadside, as the daylight was commencing to fade, and proceeded to
discuss a well-earned lunch : while so employed a roughly clad individual, armed with an antiquated
muzzle-loader, drew up alongside, and after looting around lor a few minutes, making some remarks as to the
weather and other subjects, at length broke the ice by inquiring if I would buy a French Partridge Not
satisfied with my answer, he produced the bird, which I immediately identified as a female Little Bustard
I.Ali K,
in fair plumage tin informing him that any naturalist in Brighton ought to give hint far more than the
price he had asked (first eighteen pence, finally dropping to a " bob " ) , he became suspicious aud resolutely
refused to carry his prize in its present condition into the town, when' he imagined be might hi' deemed
liable for killing game without a licence. The stupid fellow evidently distrusted the advice tended ; and finally
sitting down on the roadside bank he plucked his bird with the greatest satisfaction, remarking, when his
work was completed, that it would " make a good supper for the mi-sus and me."
SOIUE five-and-lweuty years ago the fields in the neighbourhood of Brighton were resorted to during
the autumn flight by quantities of gunners who indulged in the sport of shooting these birds while on
passage. Tor this amusement tbo well-known Lark-glass was made use of, the reflection of the sun on
the twirling glass being supposed to prove the a t t r a c t i o n ' ; anyhow, the infatuated birds when once in
view made hastily towards the lure, skimaiing r-uiid on exleuded wings and uttering a succession of
the easiest shots. Though the numbers of shooters have greatly increased, this old-fashioned custom has
gradually fallen into disrepute; I do nut remember to have seen more than one or two Lark-glasses in
operation during the last half-dozen years. 3leadow-Pipits are also attracted by these meaus if the flights,
as is usually the ease, happen to bo passing over at the time. In October 187o, having placed a glass some
hundred yards or so from the hack of our house near Brighton, in order to watch the actions of the Larks when
undisturbed, I shot an immature Black Redstart that darted down. Whether it was attracted by the
glass or was on the point of settling in the garden close at hand (a favourite resort in those days for that
species), | had no means of ascertaining, I "ie bird having been killed the moment it was id entitled.
In June IS70, my attention baling been attracted by a couple of Larks hovcriug iu the greatest
state of excitement over a rough bauk near one of the Norfolk broads, I ascertained, idler a few minutes'
watching, that a stoat carrying one of their newly Hedged brood in its muuth was the cause of the
disturbance. Thinking that the group would afford a good chance for the taxidermist to exercise his
skill, I procured the whole party with one shot, and much regret that the plates in "Rough Notes"
are too small to depict the scone. Some of the lesser Falcons as well as Hawks also prey upon this
species, and to rats they nut unfrequently fall victims. A few winters ago I discovered that one or
two of these destructive brutes had taken up their quarters in the vicinity of my boatsheds in the east
of Norfolk. They commenced operations by devouring holes ia the men's oily coats, and nest turned
their attention to the decaying carcasses of some Grey aud Cacrion Crows hanging ou a venuin-pole. A
dog that accompanied me soon pointed out their whereabouts, below the hatches of one of the gunningpunts
lying on the bauk. Prom this shelter they were soon forced and destroyed, and the contents of
their domicile being oievhauled, it was ascertained that they had carried there a Lark aud a Starling, both
perfectly fresh; these they must have captured themselves ou the marshes, as none had been shot in the
neighbourhood. There were also parts of the Crows transported by some means from the pole on which
they had been suspended, and a bottle containing a few drops of Rangoon oil. The latter had been
flung out the previous day on the bauk to the distance of about twenty or thirty yards; and it would doubtless
have been amusing lo hai e oh sen ed I bo manner iu w hicli the rats couie\ ed it to I heir nest.
The tints on the plumage of young Larks in their first summer are much lighter in colouring than
in mature birds, the whole of the feathers ou the back being edged with a palo straw and the general
tone more subdued. None but those acquainted with the species during all its changes would imagine
the relationship between nn old and young Lark shot in August.