228 Birds. 



breasts will not feed on the same tree ; it is certain that 

 the Kedbreast is a most pugnacious bird, and that he 

 does not live in much harmony and friendship with 

 those of his own kind arid sex. The male may be known 

 from the female by the colour of his legs, which are 

 blacker. 



The [Redbreast attends the gardener when digging his 

 borders ; and will, with great familiarity and tameness, 

 pick out the worms almost close to his spade. 



THE NIGHTINGALE. (Philomela luscinia.) 



" Sweet bird, that shunn'st the noise of folly, 

 Most musical, most melancholy ! 

 Thee, chantress, oft, the woods among, 

 I woo to hear thy even song." 



MILTON. 



THE NIGHTINGALE has little to boast of in respect to 

 plumage, which is of a pale tawny colour on the head 

 and back, dashed with a slight shade of olive ; the breast 

 and upper part of the belly incline to a grayish tint, and 

 the lower part of the belly is almost white ; the exterior 

 web of the quill feathers is of a reddish brown ; the tail 

 of a dull red ; the legs and feet ash-coloured ; the irides 

 hazel ; and the eyes large, bright, and staring. But it is 

 hardly possible to give an idea of the extraordinary power 

 which this small bird possesses in its throat, as to the ex- 

 tension of sound, sweetness of tone, and versatility of notes. 



