Bygone birding: Skylarks from England never seem to have taken to living on American fields and prairies

 

They don't design covers like that any more! The monthly journal was colloquially known as the 'O and O'.

  

Although the Skylark is believed to have a small breeding presence in the state of Washington, its population, unlike its song flight,  has never really soared since its introduction from England just over 150 years ago. It has certainly not become as widespread in North America as two other introduced species - the House Sparrow and the Starling. Below is a short report by, Frank Webster,  the publisher and editor of an American monthly journal of yesteryear, Ornithologist and Oologist.  It appeared in the edition of January 1884.

"Skylarks were first brought to America in 1873 by me, then secretary of the Cincinnati Acclimatisation Society, and set free in spring the following year in Burnet Woods Park, near Cincinnati. 

"They have since returned - or at least some of them have - and every spring have chosen for their abode abode a summit in the vicinity of the same park.

"Contrary to their usual habits in Europe, these Skylarks have selected hilly ground as their favourite habitat whereas, in the old country, the Skylark generally inhabits meadows or level  terrain.

"The Skylark is a migratory bird.

"Only in rare instances do small numbers remain over winter in northern climates.

"Perhaps our correspondents in New Jersey and/or Ohio might report whether they have seen the English Skylark, and under what circumstances?"

Webster's appeal brought just one response which was published in the following month's edition of the O and O

W. J. Sherratt, of Philadelphia, wrote that Skylarks had been seen the previous  summer in a wood near  Winslow in  New Jersey.

He wrote: "The woods consist mostly of a growth of scrub oak, with lilac and dogberry bushes, and a variety of the kinds of wildflowers that grow in such localities. 

"The ground is flat and somewhat marshy.

"The birds were seen around there for some time by several persons who reside in the neighbourhood."

Frank Webster (1850-1922) - author and publisher. The O and O folded in 1893.  

                                          

Skylark - this bird on saltmarsh in Lincolnshire