LARK

The common name of the native species of the genus Alauda of Linnieus; of which one, the Alauda arvensis, is distinguished as the sky-lark or lavrock; the other, Alauda campestris, Linn., is called the field-lark. As the species of the present genus differ from most other Inse orial birds in resting habitually and sleeping upon the ground, their feet present a singular but simple modification, which at the same time beautifully adapts them to their office of supporting the superincumbent I body on a flat surface: it consists in the extreme elongation in an almost straight line of the claw of the hinder I toe, which is, at the same time, proportionally robust;! thus the plane of support is extended at the expense of j the prehensile faculty, which the habits of the lark render I of little or no value to it. i The sky-lark is universally admired for the power and melody of its song, and for the beautiful a ociations inspired by the circumstances under which its notes are most richly poured forth — viz. while soaring aloft to greet the rising sun. It ascends in the air almost perpendicularly, by succe ive flights, to an elevation at which its song becomes inaudible: its descent is generally oblique. The female builds her nest on the ground, and lays four or five eggs, which are of a greyish brown colour marked with darker spots: she sits about fifteen days, and usually rears two broods in the year. This prolific species is granivorous, and in the winter large flocks congregate together; they are very fat at this season, and are captured in great numbers for the table. [s. 652]