A HUNT FOR THE NIGHTINGALE 87 



and while on picket duty had heard her nearly all 

 night. "'Don't she sing splendid to-night ?' the 

 boys would say. " This was tantalizing ; Guildf ord 

 was within easy reach ; but the previous week, 

 that could not be reached. However, he encour- 

 aged me by saying he did not think they were done 

 singing yet, as he had often heard them during 

 haying-time. I inquired for the blackcap, but saw 

 he did not know this bird, and thought I referred 

 to a species of tomtit, which also has a black cap. 

 The woodlark I was also on the lookout for, but 

 he did not know this bird either, and during my 

 various rambles in England I found but one person 

 who did. In Scotland it was confounded with the 

 titlark or pipit. 



I next met a man and boy, a villager with a 

 stove-pipe hat on, and, as it turned out, a man 

 of many trades, tailor, barber, painter, etc., from 

 Hazlemere. The absorbing inquiry was put to him 

 also. No, not that day, but a few mornings before 

 he had. But he could easily call one out, if there 

 were any about, as he could imitate them. Pluck- 

 ing a spear of grass, he adjusted it behind his teeth 

 and startled me with the shrill, rapid notes he 

 poured forth. I at once recognized its resemblance 

 to the descriptions I had read of the opening part 

 of the nightingale song, what is called the 

 "challenge." The boy said, and he himself 

 averred, that it was an exact imitation. The chew, 

 chew, chew, and some other parts, were very bird- 

 like, and I had no doubt were correct. I was 



