THE NIGHTINGALE 
summer haunts are filled. ‘his assembling may have 
something to do with mating, and as soon as that is over 
each pair appears to betake itself to some chosen spot, 
from which the birds wander little during the summer. 
The unrivalled and charming song of this species forms 
one of the sweetest attractions in the bird-world of Greater 
London. ‘The late Richard Bentley told me that Night- 
ingales in his grounds not far from London were some- 
what of a nuisance in disturbing the family slumbers ! 
It is at its best in May, declines through June, and finally 
ceases as the autumn moult comes on in July. The 
Nightingale is by no means the only songster in suburban 
London that warbles at night: Sedge Warblers, Reed 
Warblers, and Thrushes do the same; but the voice of 
these singers can never be confused with it by any observer 
familiar with its strains. In general habits the Nightin- 
gale is very like a Robin; its actions and flight are similar, 
the flicking of the wings and tail and bobbing motion 
being very noticeable ; whilst its harsh croak of alarm 
resembles that of a Whitethroat. It feeds on worms and 
grubs, insects, and larva, besides many of the smaller 
fruits. ‘The Nightingale rears but one brood during the 
summer, and the eggs are laid in May. ‘The nest is made 
upon the ground, amongst grass, in drifts of dry leaves, or 
in coarse herbage, and is made of dry grass, moss, and dead 
leaves (usually of the oak), lined with finer grass and roots 
and a little horsehair. ‘The five or six eggs vary from 
dark olive-brown to bluish green, the surface colour 
more or less densely distributed over the shell, in some 
specimens most pronounced in a circular cap over one 
end. During the period of incubation the birds become 
even more secretive, although the male frequently 
betrays the whereabouts of the nest by his persistent 
song in its vicinity. 
In its appearance the adult Nightingale is one of the 
most soberly arrayed of birds, the upper parts being 
47 
