50 BRITISH BIRDS. 



seconds, until it reaches the pitch of force and melody, 

 thence declining to a close by an equally happy and 

 harmonious gradation. In some cases, two have been 

 heard at night, thus singing against each other ; but it 

 was in rivalry rather than in deference. 



Nightingales generally return to Germany about the 

 middle of April, near the time the hawthorn begins to 

 show its blossoms ; and towards the middle or end of 

 August they prepare for their departure. This they 

 do very quietly, passing on, without noise or confusion, 

 from thicket to thicket towards the end of their journey, 

 so that they are no longer found in that country by the 

 middle of September. In Italy they arrive in the month 

 of March, and about the commencement of November 

 they begin to retire. 



In this country, the nightingale prepares a nest at 

 the latter end of May, of a very simple construction, 

 made of dry leaves, generally of the oak, and lined with 

 dry grass. It is usually placed on the ground amongst 

 the same materials of which it is composed. This bird 

 sometimes resides in thickets and woods. Here then 

 let us learn another lesson. 



" The bird that soars on highest ■wing, 

 Builds on the ground her lonely nest ; 

 And she that doth most sweetly sing, • 

 Sings in the shade, when ail things rest: 



