THE NIGHTINGALE. J 33 



The Cuckoo was heard for the first time in song; 

 His voice was at once clear, resounding, and strong. 



rather less than the male ; the plumage of both nearly alike. In 

 consequence of its unostentatious colours, its vvhynes.«, and 

 its frequenting thickets and woods, it is rarely seen, and there- 

 fore little known. Builds a nest in low bushes or quick set 

 hedges, well covered with foliage; and, it is said, sometimes on 

 the ground ; it is extcrnallj composed of dry leaves, mixed with 

 grass and fibres lined with hair or down ; eggs, four or five, olive 

 green. It is common to Europe, Asia, and Africa. It does not 

 appear that it has ever been found in America, although several 

 birds in that continent are called by its name. Three varie- 

 ties; one with the body entirely white; one of more than ordi- 

 nary size. It is said, that there are two sub-varieties of this 

 species ; one, which sings only in the night; and another, which 

 sings more frequently during the day. This is, I think, ex- 

 tremely questionable ; for, \{ sameness of note be any proof, as I 

 conceive it is, the same nightingale sings both by night and by 

 day. Those naturalists have, therefore, n;ade a great mistake, 

 who state, that this bird sings only in the evening, and during 

 the night; it may be heard in tranquil and remote woods, and 

 even very near London, at Lee, Greenwich-park, Hoknsey- 

 wooD, &c. during the day; but its song is, or seems, most har- 

 monious in the night. It may be then heard, too, a considerable 

 distance, — a mile, or even perhaps mure. 



The curious, in regard to the nightingale, will not be 

 displeased with St. Pierre's account vi' it. " Dans nos climats 

 le Rossignol place sou nid a couvert dans un buisson, en choisis- 

 sant de pj^fi^rence les lieux ou il y a des echos, et en observant 

 de I'exposer an soleii du matin. Ces precautions prises, il se 

 place aux environs, contre le tronc d'un arbre, et la confondu 

 avec la Couleur de son ^corce, et sans mouveuient, il devient 

 invisible. Mais bientdt il anime de son diviu ramage I'asyle 

 obscur qu'il s'est choisi,et il efface par I'^clat de son chant, celui 



