The Nightingale 



THIS wee brown bird, only some six 

 inches in length, is considered the most 

 wonderful feathered musician in the world. 

 Its superb song has been praised by writers 

 of all ages and all countries. Many people 

 who ought to know better think that the 

 exquisite notes of the Nightingale are only 

 uttered at night. Of course, this is a great 

 mistake, as the bird frequently sings by day, 

 but its voice is to some extent drowned in 

 the full chorus of the woods, and is therefore 

 not noticed by unpractised ears. 



Arriving in the south of England during 

 April, male Nightingales soon make for their 

 favourite old haunts in woods, spinneys, gar- 

 dens, thick old hedgerows and other shady 

 retreats. They are followed by the females a 

 few days later. 



Curiously enough, this bird, without any 

 reason known to man, will sometimes 

 utterly desert a favourite wood for years 



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