240 THE NIGHTINGALE. 



whilst she listens to his enlivening sound ; and if lie 

 apprehends any danger approaching, he warns her by 

 short interruptions in the notes. She generally lays 

 four or five eggs, but in this country the whole num- 

 ber are seldom nurtured into life. 



The nightingale's song, when under captivity, is by 

 no means so pleasing as in its natural state ; but Gesner 

 asserts that they will converse with facility, without be- 

 ing instructed in the art of speech. 



The red-breast is a bird well known in our climate 

 for the softness and sweetness of its note ; during spring 

 it may be heard in every grove and garden, but when 

 it is about to breed it retires to bushes that are remote. 

 As winter approaches it seems to claim man's protec- 

 tion, by chirping and Hying around his abode ; and 

 when it can no longer find worms and insects, solicits 

 what falls from his hospitable board. 



The lark, the sky-lark, the wood and the tit-lark, are 

 all distinguished by the length of their heel, and their 

 voices are much louder than the nightingales, though not 

 so soft, and exquisitely sweet ; yet to hear this bird warb- 

 ling upon the wing, raising its note as it soars, and at 

 length is out of sight ; to see it then descending with a 

 swell as it comes from the clouds, yet sinking, by degrees, 

 as it approaches the spot where all its affections are cen- 

 tered and confined, affords the mind those pleasing sen- 

 sations which inanimate objects can never produce. 



The lark builds its nest upon the ground, under some 

 turf that shelters it from sight; the eggs arc four or five 

 in number, in colour resembling those of the plover kind. 

 Whilst sitting, the male entertains his mate with his song; 

 and even when risen above the human sight keeps his 

 eye fixed upon the abode of her he loves. As winter ap- 

 proaches their harmony begins to cease,and they assemble 



