THE LARK. 27g

and saw that the chief portion of the structure consisted of
a mass of Buckmans grass, without any mixture, but so
compactly and firmly basketed together, as to be impenetrable
to the rain. This is the commencement of the structure;
and each bird builds its particular nest under this canopy,
the upper surface remaining void without, however, being
useless; for, as it has a projecting rim and is a little inclined,
it serves to let the rain water run off and preserve each little
dwelling from the rain. Figure to yourself a huge, irregular,
sloping roof, all the eaves of which are completely covered
with nests crowded one against another, and you will have
a tolerably accurate idea of these singular edifices. Each
individual nest is three or four inches in diameter, which is
sufficient for the bird. But as they are all in contact with
one another around the eaves, they appear to the eye to
form one building and are distinguishable from each other
only by a little external aperture which serves as an entrance
to the nest; and even this is sometimes common to three
different nests, one of which is situated at the bottom and the
other two at the sides.” One of these structures examined
by Patterson contained three hundred and twenty inhabited
cells.

The Lark. The skylark is common all over Europe and is
an especial favourite in the British Isles. It builds its nest
on the ground among growing corn or high grass, and shows
especial care for its young. Its song is perhaps the most
joyous and inspiriting of those of English birds. Captain
Brown quotes the following interesting particulars of its song
from a communication made by Mr. J. Main to the “Magazine
of Natural History :” “His joyous matins and heavenward
flight have been aptly compared to hymns and acts of adoration
and praise. No bird sings with more method: there is an
overture performed vivace crescendo, while the singer ascends;
when at the full height, the song becomes moderato, ane
distinctly divided into short passages, each repeated three or