NIGHTENGALE. 275 



three requisites necessary to form by their combination a 

 first-rate song. The volume, quality, and execution of its 

 voice are unrivalled in this country ; and when the dimi- 

 nutive size of the musician is considered, its powers are 

 certainly very extraordinary. The song of the Nightingale 

 has accordingly been the theme of writers of all ages, and 

 few have expressed their admiration in more fervent or more 

 natural terms than honest Isaac Walton, who loved birds 

 almost as well as he loved fish, and says, " But the Night- 

 ingale, another of my airy creatures, breathes such sweet 

 loud music out of her little instrumental throat, that it might 

 make mankind to think that miracles are not ceased. He 

 that at midnight, when the very labourer sleeps securely, 

 should hear, as I have very often, the clear airs, the sweet 

 descants, the natural rising and falling, the doubling and 

 redoubling of her voice, might well be lifted above earth, 

 and say, ' Lord, what music hast thou provided for the 

 saints in Heaven, when thou afFordest bad men such music 

 on earth !' " 



The Nightingale makes its appearance in this country 

 generally about the middle of April, and the males arrive 

 ten or fourteen days before the females. As the males sing- 

 well in confinement, and produce a price in proportion to the 

 perfection of their song, their arrival is taken innnediate 

 advantage of. Many are caught by the London bird-catchers 

 during the first week, and these are preserved without dif- 

 ficulty ; but if a male be caught after the females have 

 arrived, and his song and attentions have gained him a mate, 

 he is almost certain not to survive his confinement in a cage ; 

 and hence the desire among the dealers in birds to make the 

 most of the very first of the season. Among the best judges 

 of the powers of the Nightingale, the birds taken in the 

 county of Surrey are considered to possess the finest quality 

 of song. By particular feeding and judicious management, 



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