THE NIGHTINGALE 93 



The food of the Nightingale is chiefly composed 

 of small worms, grubs, insects, and in fruit-time cur- 

 rants, raspberries, and wild strawberries. The young 

 appear to be reared on the larvse of moths and 

 butterflies, and on ants and their eggs. The south- 

 ward migration of the Nightingale takes place in 

 September. 



The Nightingale has the general colour of the 

 upper plumage russet-brown, shading into dull 

 chestnut on the tail ; the wings are dark brown. 

 The under parts are buflish-white, suffused with 

 brown on the breast and flanks. The female 

 resembles the male in colour, and the total length 

 is about six and a half inches. 



