78 ON TAME NIGHTINGALES. 



been chiefly directed to the manners of birds, of which I have now 

 several varieties by me. 



The charming Philomel, is, of course, the prime favourite ; and, as 

 I have had two nightingales constantly under my eyes for a long time, 

 I trust a few remarks will not be deemed intrusive. One of these birds 

 was taken on the 19th of April, 1832, and has been in good health 

 nearly ever since. He did not, however, commence his song till the 

 end of March, 1833, and even then he never appeared to warble " his 

 native wood notes" in full perfection. The other I brought up from the 

 nest, and as I had it when only a fortnight old, it is so perfectly 

 familiar, that nothing seems to alarm it. It began to record its song 

 when five weeks old, and has continued to improve till now, when its 

 song is almost perfect. During the summer and autumn, this bird was 

 very amusing from its dexterity in catching flies, which, on appearing 

 in front of his cage, immediately fell victims to his quickness of eye, 

 and rapidity of movement; in this manner he must have destroyed 

 nearly two hundred per diem. He now sings nearly all day, and what 

 is remarkable, when the room is lighted up for the evening he seems 

 most cheerful, and sings with most animation, 



" In his sweetest, saddest flight, 



Smoothing the rugged brow of night." 



Thus have I enjoyed one of the greatest delights of spring through 

 the dreary season of winter. I was aware that these birds would sing- 

 in confinement at night, during the summer, but am somewhat sur- 

 prised that my bird should do so in winter. It is remarkable that these 

 birds seldom roost with the head under the wing- ; at least, I have never 

 seen my other bird (taken when old) in that position. This is, perhaps, 

 the reason, why they have been supposed never to sleep, but my young 

 one frequently assumes that posture, starting from it sometimes 

 suddenly, and resuming his song as if he had been actually dreaming, 

 which Buffon asserts they do. If placed in an obscure corner of the 

 room they become very restless, but resume their tranquillity if brought 

 nearer the light. 



I am informed, that, in some parts of Germany, nightingales may 

 be seen hanging from the windows, as common as canaries are in 

 England. If this is the case, (and it appears very probable from the 

 number of German canaries, imported, singing the nightingale's note) 

 I should like much to ascertain the food on which they are kept. 



