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; Guildford 

 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 



