THE NIGHTINGALE. 55 



the choice songsters extends to the small districts 

 where they are trapped, and bird-lovers of one dis- 

 trict may claim a superiority for the birds of their 

 own country over those of a neighboring one. Many 

 discussions have arisen as to the relative merits of the 

 European Nightingale and the American Mocking- 

 bird. It is admitted that both birds are the leading 

 representatives in song of the countries which they 

 represent. Perhaps the discussion will never be fully 

 decided ; for it is almost impossible to compare the 

 songs of the two birds, they are so unlike in style. 

 The Nightingale probably rivals the Mocking-bird in 

 the power, brilliancy, and quality of the natural notes ; 

 but, while a mimic in a small degree, he cannot bear 

 comparison with the Mocking-bird in this respect. 



The Nightingales which I receive are now taken 

 from nests in Germany and Italy and raised by hand ; 

 and because of being " hand-raised " they arrive here 

 in good plumage, and many of them are tame enough 

 to take meal worms from the ringers. Such a bird 

 is very desirable and valuable, for he is easily kept in 

 good order and, being indifferent to changes of loca- 

 tion, is at home anywhere, and ready to sing at all 

 times. This bird will sing nearly the whole season. 



Years ago we had only the older trapped^ birds, 

 difficult to care for and which gave us little melody; 

 now, in 1903, we have the young, hand-raised birds, 

 easy to care for, free, constant songsters and strong 

 enough to live mmy years. Some time ago I heard 

 a Nightingale in Turin. He was hanging out of doors 

 in front of a very small inn. When I asked if the 



