THE NIGHTINGALE. 



moved. It is usually placed near the ground, 

 and contains four or five eggs, of a greenish- 

 brown colour. While the hen-bird sits, her 

 mate continues near her, brings her food in his 

 bill, or keeps watch by her side, and sings her 

 sweet songs from the neighbouring tree. As 

 soon as the young birds have burst the shell, the 

 nightingale ceases to sing, and both parents 

 take equal care of them, feeding them with 

 small worms, caterpillars, and the eggs of ants 

 and other insects. They quit the nest before x 

 they are able to fly, and are then seen to follow 

 their parents, jumping from branch to branch. 

 As soon as they can flutter, the male bird re- 

 lieves the female from all further care of them, 

 and completes their education himself, till he 

 can dismiss them from his charge as accom- 

 plished nightingales, to seek their own food, and 

 add their sweet songs to the harmonies of the 

 grove. Meanwhile, the hen-bird is engaged in 

 preparing another nest, in which she rears a se- 

 cond brood before the summer is over, and some- 

 times, though rarely, a third. Such is the na- 

 tural history of this little bird, which has been 

 the theme of the poet's song in almost all ages, 

 and the delight of all who love sweet sounds and 

 touching symphonies. After its season of song 

 is over, its change of note is as wonderful as it is 



D 5 



