104 



WARBLERS. 



abundant than in Spain and Italy, from whence, however, as from our own 



climate, it regularly migrates on the approach of Avinter. The nightingale is 

 exceedingly shy, living in low swampy coppices, close thickets, hedges, and 

 similar situations. It is seldom seen, its retreat being only discovered by its 

 peculiar call-note, and its song, which for richness and power is unrivalled. 



Unlike most of the smaller birds, nightingales never associate in flocks. 

 Their food consists principally of insects, small worms, eggs of ants, and 

 berries of various kinds. 



Fig. 53.— The Nightingale {Philotircla luscinin). 



Their nest is made in the lower part of a hedge or a thick bush, where it is 

 sheltered securely. It is formed of grass, leaves, and moss, softly lined with 

 hair and down. Whilst the female is sitting on her eggs, her mate, perched 

 hard by, pours forth his varied song, to while away the tedious hours and 

 enliven her by his warblings ; tut when the brood is hatched, he ceases his 

 melody, and betakes himself to the active employment of providing for his 

 family. Sometimes the first brood is succeeded by a second, and a third, — in 

 hot countries even by a fourth. 



The voice of the nightingale excels that of any other bird, and is the more 

 delightful because it breaks upon us in the stillness of the evening when all 

 else is silent. Ancients and moderns have alike borne testimony to its in- 

 imitable sweetness. " The nightingale," says Pliny, " that for fifteen days and 

 nights, hid in the thickest shades, continues her note without intermission, 

 deserves our attention and wonder. How surprising that so great a voice can 

 reside in so small a body ! Such perseverance in so tiny an animal ! With 

 what a rnusical propriety are the sounds it produces modulated ! The note 

 at one time drawn out with a long breath, now stealing off into a different 

 cadence, now interrupted by a break ; then changing into a new tone by an 

 unexpected transition ; now seeming to renew the same strain, then deceiving 



