NIGHTINGALE. 219 



during the breeding season, sing after dark. The Nightingale 

 is just as vocal during the day, but is then unnoticed. In 

 Norfolk I sat on a bank by the roadside listening to and watch- 

 ing a Nightingale on the opposite hedge ; passers-by looked in 

 surprise at me, but paid no attention to the bird. It was a bird 

 and nothing more, even if they heard it. Bright sunshine is as 

 welcome to the Nightingale as soft moonlight ; stirred by 

 nuptial ardour it must sing. I have heard four or five at once 

 in one small coppice, and seen two, with outstretched necks and 

 bills "on guard," and tails cocked forward like pugilistic 

 Robins, sparring on the road and singing vigorously at each 

 other. During song the tail quivers ; indeed the whole bird 

 shivers with energy ; it sings with its body, like the Wood- 

 Wren. The song period is short, ceasing when the young are 

 hatched in June. There is little need to approach the "skulk- 

 ing" bird with caution ; a stone thrown into the bushes will 

 startle it into song. In late summer the young warble a few 

 notes. The male displays with outspread drooping wings, with 

 erected feathers on his back and tail expanded. Miss Turner 

 caught the attitude in one of her photographs when the male 

 was perched just above the sitting hen. Worms, insects and 

 berries are eaten ; damp and marshy spots, where insects are 

 always plentiful, are frequented. 



The nest (Plate 91) is either on or a little above the ground, 

 under or in thick cover, even at the foot of a hedge. Dead 

 leaves, chiefly oak, with a little grass are its constituents, and 

 the lining is fine grass with some hair. Four to six olive-brown 

 eggs (Plate 79) are laid early in May, and there is only one 

 brood. At times, apparently, the male helps to build, but it is 

 undecided as to his share in incubation ; without doubt he 

 helps to feed the young. 



Birds of both sexes are russet brown above and dull white, 

 tinged with brown, below ; the bill and legs are brown, the 

 irides dark brown. The young are more rufous, and have pale 



