THE NIGHTINGALE 



Eritiiacus luscinia 



The transition from the Warblers to the Thrushes 

 appears to be most naturally made by way of the 

 Nightingales and Robins, and these birds therefore 

 claim the post of honour in the present group. 

 Of these the tuneful Nightingale is justly famed 

 the most, for of all avine singers it is undoubtedly 

 one of the very sweetest. Although somewhat 

 local the Nightingale cannot be considered a rare 

 bird, whilst in some districts it swarms to such an 

 extent as practically to constitute itself a nuisance 

 to those unfortunate people who sleep lightly, 

 or are easily disturbed in their slumbers. The 

 Nightingale is essentially an "English" bird, for 

 it is only known to breed in one or two parts of 

 Wales, and is entirely unknown in Scotland and 

 Ireland. Its range even in England is peculiarly 

 restricted, and is for the most part confined to 

 the area of the plains, from Somerset to Kent, 

 northwards to Yorkshire. South of Scandinavia 



