08 LETTER XLVIH. 



This most i'amons of the feather&l tribe visits 

 Jand in the beginning of April, and leaves it in the 

 beginning of August, It is found in. some of thtf 

 southern parts of this island, but is totally unknown 

 Sn Scotland, Ireland, and North Wales. It frequents 

 thick hedges and low coppices, and generally lurks 

 in the middle of the bush, so that it is rarely see'n-. 

 The nightingale begins its song in the evening, and 

 often continues it during the whole night. Its attach- 

 ment to a particular place is remarkable. During se- 

 veral weeks together it will, if undisturbed, perch on 

 the same tree, and from thence every evening pchvr 

 4ts fascinating melody. 



THE RED-BREAST 



is a little bird which is celebrated for its affection to 

 mankind rather than for its song. This bird, h<*-. 

 ever, has the sweetest note of any in our climate, mid 

 makes every hedge vocal. The notes of other birds 

 ^se louder and their inflection:* more sonorous ; Lut 

 the red-breast's voice is soft, tender, and melodious. 

 The confidence which this little bird appears to place 

 in man, together with its inoffensive disposition, 

 claims and obtains his pity and protection. Such in- 

 deed is the universal prejudice in its favor, from what- 

 ever cause it may originate, that scarcely any one 

 will offer it an injury: happy and beneficial preju- 

 dice, that excites benevolence and prevents the abuse 

 of any of God's creatures! 



THE SWALLOW 



with its varieties is too well known to require any 

 description. I shall therefore finish this survey of so 

 beautiful and so curious a department of nature by 

 the exhibition of one more of these creatures, which 

 are singular and striking objects in a view cf the ani- 

 mal creation, and have always attracted the curiosity 

 of those who delight to contemplate the God of Na- 

 ture in his works. 



THE HUMMING BIRD, 



from its diminutive size, and the resplendency of its 

 colours, is not less an object of curiosity than the 

 mock-bird, from the endless variety of its notes. Tin* 



