THE preserved specimen above figured, was lent to this work by Mr Vigors, of Chelsea. The whole of the upper plumage, like most of the Larks, has at a little distance, an olive brown look, though the middle of the feathers is dusky, and the webs are reddish pale brown, and some of the outer ones edged with dull white; the lesser and greater coverts, the primaries, secondaries, and tertials are also of a deep dusky brown, and edged nearly in the same way; the quills are dusky, and the tail, which consists of twelve feathers, is the same, excepting the outer ones being quite white, and the two next them, are also mostly white, with a dusky stripe down the middle part on the * See Zoological Journal, No. 4 or 5. shafts the throat and under parts are of a dull yellowish white; the breast is yellow, spotted with black. This bird does not vary greatly from the Skylark in its plumage; but it is of a taller shape, and the legs, which are yellow, are longer, as well as its tail and tertial feathers. It is probable that it is only one of the numerous varieties by which Dame Nature seems to excite or arrest the attention of the sometimes overeager ornithologist in his fondness for new species, by further enquiry to attain the truth; which, perhaps, can in no way be so certainly done as by an examination of the nest and the eggs. Is described at page 259, from a specimen sent by J. C. Wood, Esq. which being dishevelled in plumage, as well as from want of time, could not then be figured. We have since been favoured with another, and from the two the above figure has been taken, which it is hoped is sufficiently accurate to enable the ornithologist to identify this very small bird. Mr Wood says, "this bird comes over to us in about the same numbers as the yellow Wren, its haunts are the same, and I think it dwells in the woods only. The song, size, and very brown legs, distinguish it clearly from the others: its two notes are loud and powerful, and in very bright fine weather it makes the woods echo with them." In the former description it has been stated that its note is feeble; this, however, applies only to its ordinary song, for while his faithful mate is anxiously engaged in the business of incubation, the male, from his lofty situation, ardently pours forth his music to cheer her in the nest; which is covered with leaves, and generally sheltered by a bush below. |