222 ON THK NATURAL HISTORY OF THE NIGHTINGALE. 



the species resemble Nightingales, and so very gradual is the tran- 

 sition from one genus into another, that the dividing line may be 

 considered as quite arbitrary, where the Thrush ends, and where 

 the Nightingale begins. The greater Nightingale of Eastern Eu- 

 rope has even an obscurely though very noticeable spotted 



breast ; while, on the other hand, some of the smaller American 

 Thrushes have the spots but very few in number, and these appear- 

 ing as if more than half obliterated. Such is the plumage of the 

 Tawny Thrush fM. Wihonii), which has besides the exact bill of 

 Philomela ; while the Hermit Thrush (M. solltaria) has even a 

 rufous tail, as in our Nightingale. Both these are also, in size, 

 intermediate between the later and the more typical Thrushes, and 

 the gradation is likewise shewn in their nidification — no plaster 

 being used to form the nest, as in our Thrushes, or as even in M. 

 mustelina — and both of them, more particularly the first, most 

 closely resemble the Nightingale in make ; so much so that, if 

 found in Europe, I have no doubt that, at least, the former would 

 have been generally ranged with it. 



And to no other birds so much. — This species is indeed, in every 

 respect, a great deal more similar to the Nightingale than it is to 

 the more typical members of its own genus ; and were I not aware 

 of the existence of another, from the same locality, named M. par- 

 va, which I have not yet seen, and which (as its name, in some 

 degree, implies) may possibly have still more of the true Philomela 

 character, I should prefer to change its specific appellation Wilsonii) 

 for the more significant term Philomelloides, expressive of its close 

 affinity to the Nightingale genus. These small Thrushes are, 

 moreover, the only birds that I know of, which, in every character, 

 so much approximate to our noted songster ; which renders it the 

 more remarkable that, from all description, they should be wholly 

 devoid of song ; yet we cannot but recognise, notwithstanding, in 

 the few monotonous cries which they are alleged to utter, and 

 which notes have been sufficiently expressed in writing, in Wilson's 

 work, some analogous occasional chirps of our Nightingale. Indeed, 

 I cannot but feel very great surprise that this most striking affinity 

 should hitherto have escaped the notice of every writer upon syste- 

 matic ornithology. 



The greater, or Thrush, Nightingale of Eastern Europe. — Of the 

 Nightingale genus C Philomela), but two species are at present re- 

 cognized — our bird, and the great Nightingale of Eastern Europe, 

 to which the terms Thrush Nightingale, and Philomela mernloides, 

 might be very pertinently applied. This bird may be said to connect 



