flowersTHE WOODLARK.TheWoodlark is not nearly so common or widely distributed as the Skylark, and is frequently thought to be heard and seen when the bird under observation is really only a Tree Pipit.It is smaller than the Skylark, and has a much shorter tail and more conspicuous crest. Although of somewhat similar coloration, it has a distinct light yellowish streak running over each eye and meeting at the back of the head; the breast spots are more distinct; and its flight always appears to me to be more undulatory.The Woodlark is a shy creature, but had it not been for the very wet and benumbingly cold weather prevailing at thetime I figured the young one shown in our illustration on page 56—which could fly quite well—I feel sure that I could have photographed one or both of the parent birds feeding it.This species is considered by many people to come next to the Nightingale as one of Nature’s Carol Singers. Its voice is certainly sweeter in tone, though it lacks both the power and variety of that of the Common Skylark. Yarrell says that “its soothing notes never sound more sweetly than while the performer is mounting in the air by wide circles, or, having attained the summit of its lofty flight, is hanging almost stationary overhead.”That is exactly how the bird’s delightfully flute-like notes affect me, although many people find an element of sadness in them. Burns, for instance, considered the Woodlark’s song a mixture of love and sorrow, and exclaimed:“For pity’s sake, sweet bird, nae mairOr my poor heart is broken.”It sings whilst perched upon a tree, and sometimes its clear, tender notes may be heard ringing out during a fine summer’s night.WOODLARK’S NEST AND EGGSWOODLARK’S NEST AND EGGS.The call notes of the species are a very musical double one, sounding something likelu-luandtweedle, weedle, weedle, uttered on the wing.The Woodlark, like the Tree Pipit, although roosting upon the ground, procuring its food and rearing its young there, must have some kind of timber, whether it be great belts of fir, with pastures and dry, heather-clad commons between, or bare hillsides with scattered clumps of oak and bushes here and there to make its home amongst.newly fledged woodlarkNEWLY FLEDGED WOODLARK.It is said to breed most numerously in the southern counties of England, occasionally in the north, and rarely in Scotland and Ireland.Its nest is very similar to that of the Common Skylark, but as a rule shows a little better workmanship, perhaps, in its construction. It is situated under a tuft of grass, in heather, or at the foot of a bush. Sometimes it is simply placed in a little hollow on ground which does not grow sufficient grass to form any kind of shelter or hiding.The eggs, numbering four or five, are reddish-white, light brownish-yellow, or greenish-white in ground colour, thickly spotted and speckled with dull reddish-brown and underlying markings of grey.This species commences to breed in March and rears two broods during the season. It resides with us all the year, but is subject to local movement.hillside
flowers
TheWoodlark is not nearly so common or widely distributed as the Skylark, and is frequently thought to be heard and seen when the bird under observation is really only a Tree Pipit.
It is smaller than the Skylark, and has a much shorter tail and more conspicuous crest. Although of somewhat similar coloration, it has a distinct light yellowish streak running over each eye and meeting at the back of the head; the breast spots are more distinct; and its flight always appears to me to be more undulatory.
The Woodlark is a shy creature, but had it not been for the very wet and benumbingly cold weather prevailing at thetime I figured the young one shown in our illustration on page 56—which could fly quite well—I feel sure that I could have photographed one or both of the parent birds feeding it.
This species is considered by many people to come next to the Nightingale as one of Nature’s Carol Singers. Its voice is certainly sweeter in tone, though it lacks both the power and variety of that of the Common Skylark. Yarrell says that “its soothing notes never sound more sweetly than while the performer is mounting in the air by wide circles, or, having attained the summit of its lofty flight, is hanging almost stationary overhead.”
That is exactly how the bird’s delightfully flute-like notes affect me, although many people find an element of sadness in them. Burns, for instance, considered the Woodlark’s song a mixture of love and sorrow, and exclaimed:
“For pity’s sake, sweet bird, nae mairOr my poor heart is broken.”
“For pity’s sake, sweet bird, nae mairOr my poor heart is broken.”
“For pity’s sake, sweet bird, nae mair
Or my poor heart is broken.”
It sings whilst perched upon a tree, and sometimes its clear, tender notes may be heard ringing out during a fine summer’s night.
WOODLARK’S NEST AND EGGSWOODLARK’S NEST AND EGGS.
WOODLARK’S NEST AND EGGS.
The call notes of the species are a very musical double one, sounding something likelu-luandtweedle, weedle, weedle, uttered on the wing.
The Woodlark, like the Tree Pipit, although roosting upon the ground, procuring its food and rearing its young there, must have some kind of timber, whether it be great belts of fir, with pastures and dry, heather-clad commons between, or bare hillsides with scattered clumps of oak and bushes here and there to make its home amongst.
newly fledged woodlarkNEWLY FLEDGED WOODLARK.
NEWLY FLEDGED WOODLARK.
It is said to breed most numerously in the southern counties of England, occasionally in the north, and rarely in Scotland and Ireland.Its nest is very similar to that of the Common Skylark, but as a rule shows a little better workmanship, perhaps, in its construction. It is situated under a tuft of grass, in heather, or at the foot of a bush. Sometimes it is simply placed in a little hollow on ground which does not grow sufficient grass to form any kind of shelter or hiding.
The eggs, numbering four or five, are reddish-white, light brownish-yellow, or greenish-white in ground colour, thickly spotted and speckled with dull reddish-brown and underlying markings of grey.
This species commences to breed in March and rears two broods during the season. It resides with us all the year, but is subject to local movement.
hillside