AiiDON LUSCINIA 73 



Like most of the Warblers, the Nightingale frequents localities 

 where a bush vegetation, with a tolerably thick undergrowth, pre- 

 vails, lofty trees being rarely resorted to, and evergreen forests and 

 plantations more or less shunned. Deciduous-leafed woods and copses 

 are favourite haunts of the species, although the bird being far from 

 shy, gardens and the neighbourhood of human dwellings are quite as 

 much affected by it as the more secluded retreats. By no means a 

 restless bird, it will remain quietly in one spot for a considerable 

 length of time, unless disturbed, when it flits off to some other bush 

 or low tree at no great distance. Its food, which is taken chiefly on 

 the ground, consists almost exclusively of worms and insects. In 

 captivity, however, the bird thrives well on meal paste, with a little 

 chopped meat or liver mixed with it. 



In many European countries the Nightingale is greatly prized as 

 a cage-bird, and when brought up from the nest becomes remarkably 

 tame, and may live for several years in confinement. Birds caught 

 when fuU-gi'own, however, never seem to bear imprisonment well, 

 and rarely live long under such circumstances. 



Besides its well-known melodious song, the Nightingale has some 

 harsh, grating notes, which are more often heard after the breeding 

 season is over. Its call note seems to be a low chiirr. AVhen on 

 passage the Nightingale does not generally sing at night, but in the 

 daytime, the early morning being the time when its song is chiefly to 

 be heard. Occasionally, when half a dozen or more of the birds are 

 singing at the same time around one, the music is somewhat over- 

 powering, and becomes quite a case of " embarras de richesses." 



The Nightingale probably breeds in certain numbers south of the 

 Atlas, but not so abundantly as it does further north, where the 

 country is more wooded and better watered. In the oak forests of 

 Ghardimaou Mr. Aplin found nests and young birds of this species in 

 May and June. Nesting in these districts seems to commence about 

 the end of April, and by the end of May one may meet with young 

 birds fully fledged and on the wing. The nest of this species is usually 

 placed at the foot of a bush, or on a bank, and is roughly constructed 

 of small roots, grasses, and dry leaves. The eggs, generally four or 

 five in number, are of a uniform olive-brown colour, their average 

 measurements being 21 x 15 mm. 



