THE NIGHTINGALES NEST . 13 



when the very labourer sleeps securely, should 

 hear, as I have very often, the clear airs, the sweet 

 descants, the natural rising and falling, the 

 doubling and redoubling of her voice, might 

 well be lifted above earth, and say, Lord, what 

 music hast Thou provided for the saints in 

 heaven, when Thou affordest bad men such 

 music on earth ! " 



Last autumn's fallen leaves, which have not 

 rotted, have been driven by winter winds under 

 the holly bushes or into dry ditches bordering the 

 wood, and it is in such places that we may hope- 

 fully search for the Nightingale's nest. This so 

 resembles the surroundings, being mainly composed 

 of dead leaves, that it is always difficult to find, 

 the eggs also being similar in colour to the nest. 

 Hence, unless one sees the builder enter or leave 

 her home, a long search may be fruitless. 



A pair of Nightingales in Winchmore Hill Wood 

 so far departed from their usual custom of building 

 on the ground as to make their nest in an old 

 kettle which lay in a ditch. Four eggs were laid 

 and hatched, and, when discovered, the fully 

 fledged young were content and comfortable in 

 their somewhat unique home. 



During migration, Nightingales seem to pursue 

 an almost direct south to north passage ; beyond 



