THE NIGHTINGALE. 17 



his victim, which appeared to be dead, though it had 

 only fainted, for presently it revived and even did not 

 seem to be much hurt, but next day, the poor thing 

 died, and on examination I found that the cat's teeth 

 had penetrated one of the bird's lungs, and that its 

 death was due to internal hemorrhage. I also discov- 

 ered that Joey ought to have been called Josephine, 

 which accounted for her never having sung. 



Ah well, the poor dear little creature had careful 

 burial in the garden and although I have since pos- 

 sessed other Nightingales I have never had one to 

 compare with my lost pet. 



The male Nightingale can be readily distinguished 

 from his mate by the ruddier colour of his back, and 

 the purer white of his breast; which latter mark will 

 also serve to differentiate him from the female Red- 

 start, to which otherwise he bears no inconsiderable 

 resemblance, though he is longer and a bolder looking 

 and more inquisitive bird. 



While "Joey" was in my possession and lodged in 

 the conservatory, a very fine wild cock Nightingale 

 made his appearance in the garden one day, attracted 

 possibly in his migratory flight by the presence of 

 the captive female, whose call-note he had very likely 

 heard in passing : I had a good opportunity of watching 

 him for some little time and observing his active move- 

 ments and quick hops from side to side in quest of 

 the minute insects that harbour in the grass, of which 



2 



