NIGHTINGALE. 63 



haunts, unless it be that, as we are on the extreme hmit of 

 its northern range, we are dependent on the weather in tli» 

 spring whether we have them or not. Should the spring be 

 mild and genial at the time of their migration, they probably 

 push further north, whilst should the weather at that time 

 be cold and cheerless, they are kept more within their ordinary 

 limits. We know the mildness or severity of the seasons 

 has much to do with the movements of birds. The Nightin- 

 gale has visited this district as far back as anyone can re- 

 member, but always has been looked on as a rarity, often two, 

 but seldom more, within the precincts of this borough. The 

 first note I can find is in 1868, where I have put down that I 

 went to hear a Nightingale sing on ist May. In 1874 I have 

 a note that two sang nightly in our public common, where 

 they bred, and I was told a pair of old ones and the young 

 were taken. In 1875 one bird came to the same common 

 (but not exactly to the same place), where it also bred, as I 

 saw the old bird on the nest myself, which had five eggs. 

 It was afterwards taken. It has appeared at uncertain 

 intervals since, but I have not been able to find my note 

 books. It has visited many places in the Riding, but I 

 believe always singly, and generally uncertainly. At North 

 Giffe, Market Weight on, I was told by old Reynolds 

 that it had appeared there several years in succession, 

 and he pointed out to me the particular wood where 

 it came." 



With regard to the present status of the species, Mr. 

 Boyes' opinion, as expressed to me at Beverley, in March 

 1901, may be summed up in these words : — " Time was 

 when the Nightingale was pretty well known as a summer 

 visitor to Beverley, but I fear the bird-catchers gave them 

 very little peace ; of late years its visits have been few and 

 far between, and always intermittent. I have known some 

 instances of the birds taking up their quarters in copses, etc., 

 where they have not been molested, and yet have not returned 

 to them in the following summer , in fact, I never once knew 

 a Nightingale to come the following year to a spot which 



