THE NIGHTINGALE. 55 



emigrate felt by these birds, that even such as 

 are retained in captivity, and whose habits must 

 be much changed, evince great uneasiness, and 

 are evidently much agitated as the season for 

 emigration approaches. Unlike the swallows, 

 and many others, this bird does not wait to con- 

 sult with his companions, or to hold council with 

 the assembled families of his tribe, before he 

 fixes the time for his departure on his long and 

 perilous journey. Naturally shy and solitary, 

 as soon as the changing season warns him 

 that the time of scarcity approaches, the de- 

 fenceless little creature sets forth alone on his 

 travels, and steers his unerring course to the 

 distant shores. By a wonderful instinct he is 

 aware that a softer atmosphere and abundance 

 of food, will repay the labour of his voyage. 

 Arrived at the point at which he aimed, he re- 

 joices in the provisions made for his simple 

 wants, until another change of season reminds 

 him that the period for his return to Europe is 

 arrived. Again he sets forth alone, crosses 

 deserts and oceans, and comes back a solitary 

 visitant to his old retreats. At first, he shelters 

 himself in hedges on the borders of gardens and 

 cultivated lands, where he finds the most abun- 

 dant supply of food : but as soon as the verdure 

 of the woods and forests begins to thicken, he 



