“---- Up springs the Lark, Shrill-voiced and loud, the messenger of morn, Ere yet the shadows fly, he, mounted, sings Amid the dawning clouds, and from their haunts Calls up the tuneful nations.” THOMSON. “Alas! it’s no thy neebor sweet, The bonnie Lark, companion meet! Bending thee ’mang the dewy weet! Wi’ speckled breast, When upward springing, blythe to greet The purpling east.” BURNS. “Early, cheerful, mounting Lark, Light’s gentle usher, morning’s clerk, In merry notes delighting.” SIR JOHN DAVIS. [Illustration: THE WOODLARK. (_Alauda arborea._)] THIS species is smaller than the skylark, and its voice deeper; it has also a circle of white feathers encompassing the head, from eye to eye, like a crown or wreath, and the utmost feather of the wing is much shorter than the second, whereas in the common lark they are nearly equal. This bird sometimes emulates the nightingale; for which, when pouring forth his sweet melody in the grove, during a silent night, he is often mistaken. These birds sit and perch upon trees, unlike the common lark, which always keeps to the ground. They build their nest at the foot of a bush, near the bottom of a hedge, or in high dry grass. The number of their eggs is about four, of a pale bloom colour, beautifully mottled, and clouded with red and yellow. Like the skylark, they assemble in large flocks during frosty weather. Their usual food consists of small beetles, caterpillars, and other insects, as well as the seeds of numerous kinds of wild plants. “Bright o’er the green hills rose the morning ray, The Woodlark’s song resounded on the plain, Fair nature felt the warm embrace of day, And smiled through all her animated reign.” LANGBOURN. [Illustration: THE TITMOUSE, OR TOM-TIT. (_Parus cæruleus._) THE LONG-TAILED TIT. (_Parus caudatus._)]