Virginian Nightingales 101 



an hour had passed, the cock bird in a flight round the 

 pen found his way out, immediately flitting on to a 

 mountain ash tree, where he began "jug jugging " in 

 a most sprightly voice. 



It was a bright sunny spring day. 



The hen bird was in a great state of mind, and flew 

 backwards and forwards, uttering her sharp-sounding 

 call note, which is rather like that of a robin. Then 

 it struck me that it might be advisable to allow the 

 male to become accustomed to this life of full freedom, 

 keeping his wife as an hostage, so that he would be less 

 tempted to wander too far, were he disposed so to do. 



In the meanwhile he would be able to take his 

 bearings, and, if he thought his surroundings pleasant 

 ones, perhaps fix upon a convenient site for a nest. 



So I shut the pheasantry door with his lady the 

 right side of it. 



She, I suppose, thought it the wrong one ! 



In a few minutes he flew to the top of the wire 

 roof, where he seemed to be doing his best to get back 

 again. A day or two afterwards, when he still con- 

 tinued to keep about, singing gaily amongst the 

 bushes, and flitting from tree to tree, I liberated his 

 mate, much to his joy, which he manifested by sidling 

 up to her with quivering pinions, singing and 

 whispering in her ear. 



The following morning was a typical one for the 

 beauties of spring in England, when it is fine and 

 warm. 



The rooks were clamorous under a cloudless sky, 

 amongst their nests at the top of the elms, fighting for 



