56 THE NIGHTINGALE. 



retreats to their shade, and shrouds himself in 

 their foliage. The favourite haunt of the night- 

 ingale is on a sheltered hill-side ; and it is said 

 evidently to prefer the spot where there is an 

 echo, and more especially where there is a run- 

 ning stream. In this last respect, its taste is 

 similar to that of many others of the feathered 

 race; a circumstance to which the royal psalmist 

 thus beautifully alludes : " He sendeth springs 

 into the valleys which run among the hills. By 

 them shall the fowls of the heavens have their 

 habitation, which sing amongst the branches." 

 In such a spot it is that he makes his summer 

 abode, after having selected a mate from those 

 who, like himself, have returned singly and 

 alone to the country wherein they build their 

 nests and rear their young. Once mated, he 

 rarely strays very far from his chosen home. 

 He has always two or three favourite trees on 

 which he chiefly delights to sing, and on which 

 he gives out all the compass of his delightful 

 and harmonious voice. The tree nearest the 

 nest is the one he especially prefers. The nest 

 itself is made with little art, and is much less 

 curious and beautiful than the nests of many 

 other birds. It is composed of coarse weeds, 

 dried leaves, and hair, and is so slightly bound 

 together, that it falls to pieces as soon as it is 



