THE NIGHTINGALE. 75 



His plan is to begin near the root of the tree, and direct his course 

 upward. 



And we must tell you that he is far more nimble than the woodpecker, 

 and runs along the lower side of the branches with the utmost ease. 



He is very cunning; and if he should chance to see you, he will try to 

 keep on the opposite side of the tree, so that you can only catch now and then 

 a glimpse of him. All this climbing and threading seems mere play to him. 

 When he has wound along the branches till he reaches the top of the tree, 

 and can go no farther, he flies down like an arrow, and alights at the root 

 of another tree. Then he begins again his upward course, and climbs and 

 threads with as much zeal as ever. 



His note is a little low " cheep, cheep," that he utters very often. 



Early in spring the tree-creeper builds his nest. He chooses some hole 

 in a tree where a branch has been broken off, or where the woodpecker has 

 made the hole before him, or even in a hole in the wall. 



The nest is made of the usual materials — moss, grass, roots, and feathers. 

 These are put into the hole in great quantities, so as to make a firm founda- 

 tion. The mother bird lays six or eight eggs, of an ash colour, marked with 

 dark red spots. She sits very closely, and will hardly move even when any 

 one comes near her. Her partner is very attentive, and feeds her constantly 

 during this anxious period. 



THE NIGHTINGALE. 



In the middle of April, in certain favoured spots in our island, there Is heard, 

 both day and night, the voice of the nightingale. 



He is the finest singer — the most perfect musician — we have in our woods 

 and groves. Who does not love to catch his thrilling notes ! Who does not 

 stop and listen with delight ! 



The nest of the nightingale is slightly made — so slightly that it is not 

 easy to take it away. It would fall to pieces unless a string were tied round 

 it. And it is placed in a lowly position on the ground, at the bottom of a 

 hedge, or even in some small hollow place. When the young nightingales are 



