ENGLISH SKYLARKS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20622, 22 July 1930, Page 7

ENGLISH SKYLARKS.

HOMES IN AMERICA.

ONLY ONE COLONY LEFT

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] VANCOUVER, May 28.

The only English skylarks left in North America are in the immediate environs of Victoria, capital of British Columbia, which, by a coincidence, is tho most English city outside England. They are thriving, and are there to stay. The history of the skylark and the efforts to acclimatise the famous English songster in North America is being gradually pieced together from notes assembled by (ho Smithsonian Institution; from Bird Lore, the official organ of tho Audubon Society of North America, as well as from widely-scattered officials of tho society, and from the Natural History Society. The first colony of skylarks to bo introduced into North America was settled at Flatbush, Long Island, in 1887. In the following year they were introduced into the bush near Victoria by the St. George Society, under the presidency of Mr. Justic Drake. A few years later they were introduced to Honolulu from New Zealand. The Elatbush colony has now disappeared. A colony planted near Portland, Oregon, in 1903, disappeared soon after. It is understood that the Hawaiian colony became naturalised, but no definite recent. information is available. California tourists, who aro noted bird lovers, say it is worth the trip north to hear the marvel of the song of (ho lark in tho meadows of the Hudson's Bay Company's farm at Cadboro Bay, near Victoria. In 1903 an order was placed by Mr. Ashdown Green, of Victoria, for 250 songbirds, (it ft cost of about .LIOO, to which the Government of British Columbia contributed £4O. All the goldfinches and robins perished, and many of tho skylarks. Tho balance acclimatised themselves and slowly increased. Tho second consignment of ldld included brown linnets and blue tits, as well as goldfinches, robins and sky la. ks. This collection was unfortunate. Bad weather, confined quarters, and unwise feeding took heavy toll. Not one of the 300 goldfinches, robins, linnets and blue tits survived. Twenty-four skylaiks that were released on tho mainland also Pe Thc°49 skylarks that were placed in the c ivii'ons of Victoria alone got a foothold. Since that time they have grown in number and widened their habitat, though keeping within a radius of ten miles of the citv of Victoria. By a coincidence Hie circlo in which they live and siiij, is almost exclusively populated by Luglish settlers.