NIGHTINGALE. 163 



Woodlark. The song of the Wood lark is almost uni- 

 versally admired, and is heard not only in the daytime 

 but sometimes also during the night. It has been com- 

 pared with that of the nightingale, and, in some respects, 

 is equally pleasing. Like the skylark, it sings as it flies. 

 These birds build their nest on the ground, the outside 

 being composed of moss, and the inside lined with dried 

 bents and a few hairs. The female lays five dusky eggs, 

 which are of a pale bloom or rose colour, beautifully 

 mottled and clouded with red and yellow. The Wood- 

 lark perches on trees, and feeds chiefly on insects, worms, 

 and seeds. 



The chief difference betwixt the Woodlark and skylark 

 consists in the latter being somewhat smaller, and having 

 the head surrounded by a whitish kind of fillet, which 

 reaches from one eye to the other. 



24. WARBLER TRIBE. 



The greater part of these birds have a very melodious 

 and pleasing song. Several of them migrate from one 

 country to another at stated seasons. 



Nightingale. It is universally allowed that the 

 Nightingale is the most excellent of all the British 

 songsters. In mellowness, plaintiveness, compass, and 

 execution, it is superior to all others; but in sprightli- 

 ness it is exceeded by the skylark, the linnet, and the 

 goldfinch. Its powers of imitation are also so great, 

 that it can modulate its voice to any key. And it has 

 been remarked, that if any person near it whistle a note, 

 the Nightingale will immediately try, in its own strain, 

 a unison with it. The Nightingale, although it also 

 sings in the course of the day, generally commences its 



