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SKY LARK. Alauda arvensis, Linnaeus. French, "Alouette des champs." Mr. Métivier, in his 'Dictionary, gives Houèdre as the local Guernsey-French name of the Sky Lark. As may be supposed by its having a local name, it is a common and well-known bird, and is resident in all the Islands.
The young wheat, however, is still a temptation, and is accordingly punished by the Sparrows. The House Sparrow is mentioned by Professor Ansted in his list, but no letters are given marking the general distribution over the Islands, probably because it is so generally spread over them. The local Guernsey-French name is "Grosbec," for which see Métivier's 'Dictionary.
French, "Cormoran largup." The Shag almost entirely takes the place, as well as usurps the name, of its big brother, as in the Islands it is invariably called the Cormorant. The local Guernsey-French name "Cormoran" is applicable probably to either the Shag or the Cormorant.
According to Métivier's 'Dictionary, "Aronde" is the local Guernsey-French name of the Swallow, which is a common summer visitant to all the Islands, and very generally distributed over the whole of them, and not having particular favourite habitations as the Martin has.
The Hoopoe, as may be supposed from its geographical range and from its frequent occurrence in various parts of England, is an occasional visitant to the Channel Islands during the seasons of migration, occurring both in spring and autumn with sufficient frequency to have gained the name of "Tuppe" in Guernsey-French.
As above stated, the specimen formerly in the Museum no longer exists. WRYNECK. Yunx torquilla, Linnaeus. French, "Torcol ordinaire." The Wryneck, or, as it is called in Guernsey-French, "Parlè" is generally a numerous summer visitant to the Islands, arriving in considerable numbers, about the same time as the mackerel, wherefore it has also obtained the local name of "Mackerel Bird."
Métivier, in his 'Rimes Guernseaise, gives "Cahouette" as the local Guernsey-French name of the Chough, though I suspect the name is equally applicable to the Jackdaw. The Chough is mentioned in Professor Ansted's list, but marked as only occurring in Guernsey and Sark. There are two specimens in the Museum. JACKDAW. Corvus monedula, Linnaeus. French, "Choucas," "Choucas gris."
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