82 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



the shadow of green trees, referring to the 

 nightingale ; in fact, each county that the bird 

 visits has its own nightingale lore. 



In the southern parts of England this fine 

 singer may be seen first about the middle of 

 April ; but this will depend on the weather, for 

 migrants are very often about, yet do not show 

 themselves. The cock-birds are the first to 

 come over, and the hens follow. It is not yet 

 quite settled whether they migrate in company, 

 or come, so to speak, in driblets : my own 

 opinion, formed from a close observation of 

 their habits, is that they come anyhow, in very 

 loose order. I do not assert this, but only 

 give the opinion for what it is worth. 



It is well known that on their first arrival 

 they have been found close together on the 

 shore in numbers, but they may have dropped 

 down miles apart in the first instance. One 

 bird will call to another for a long distance 

 until they get in close company ; and a certain 

 district, or even a particular patch of saline 

 vegetation, may be for a few hours all alive 

 with certain birds, and these only ; and then 

 they are gone again, and not one will you find. 

 " Birds of a feather flock together," and "any 

 port in a storm " are very] old, but very true, 



