scarcely ever retained their song in perfection more than four or five 
years, owing, no doubt, to repletion, for in confinement, through 
the want of exercise, this was sure to be the case. And when 
he could not prevent this, he gave the birds their liberty ; for, 
when released, they reverted to their normal condition, and re- 
covered their song, owing, no doubt, to sufficient exercise, natural food, 
and invigorating air. Bechstein mentions an instance of a nightin- 
gale’s living in confinement for twenty-five years! Buffon has also re- 
corded another instance of one having lived seventeen years. At 
fifteen the quill feathers of the wing and tail became white, the legs 
increased in size, the feet became gouty, and it was often necessary 
to sharpen the upper mandible, there being no other appearance of 
age, as the bird was lively and always singing. 
The attachment of the nightingale, when once gained, was 
not only lasting, but most extraordinary. “One of the best 
nightingales he ever had was trapped by him near Westmeston, 
in April, 1849. He was, in fact, the finest bird he ever saw, 
as regards intelligence, affection, and song. At the close of the 
first week in May, he burst forth into song. He continued sing- 
ing up to the end of June, when he became silent, and soon began to 
moult. By this time he had grown very tame. When his food-pan 
Was empty, he would strive to draw attention to the fact. If the 
action were unheeded, he would give forth his call-note, followed by 
its frog-l-ke croak. This not being noticed, he would seize the tin pan in 
his beak, and continue to shake it violently till his wants were supplied. 
About the middle of September he became restless and fluttered about 
wildly, more especially at late hours, and moonlight nights, the instinct 
to migrate being strong within him. During this time, he lost all his 
gentle ways and acted as wildly as a newly-caught bird. On the fol- 
lowing Christmas day, he burst forth into full song, loud, precipitate, 
and melodiously sweet. This was the only instance that ever came 
_under his observation, or that he had read of in which a nightingale 
burst into full song without having previously “ recorded.” 
Nestlings are of no value, for they will learn anything except the 
warbling of their sires. Even if placed under rich songsters, they will 
introduce foreign and discordant strains into their song. Young birds 
caught in the autumn, previous to migrating, were sure to turn out 
well, especially if placed under a fine songster the following spring. 
They would modulate their voice to any given key; could be taught to 
introduce variations in their song, and to take part in a chorus, but 
_ talking, though vouched for by Pliny and Gessner, was altogether out 
_ of the question. If properly fed and carefully attended to, he would 
