24 , THE NIGHTINGALE 



nightingale for a long while, ceases its song neither by day 

 nor by night. Does there exist a man so deprived of 

 judgment as not to be struck with admiration at hearing- 

 such a sweet, loud strain coming out of the throat of such 

 a small wild bird ? The best of the nightingale is that it 

 persists so obstinately in its song, without ever getting 

 tired or interrupting its strain ; it would rather cease to 

 live than cease to sing. » 



It makes its appearance in our gardens and woods at 

 the end oF April when all Nature is busy with the work 

 ol love and reproduction. Its beautiful song ceases about 

 the middle of June. It comes from the land of the ever 

 fiery sun; there it learned those warm, metallic notes 

 which seem to us the echo ot the bright, glowing East. 

 The extent of its voice is surprising, and yet more mar- 

 velous is the robust constitution of this frail little 

 bird that can sing on, night after night. Also this artist 

 requires a special food : no seeds, no watery debilitating 

 fruit, but live, and so to say bleeding flesh. It lives exclu- 

 sively on worms, insects and the larvae of ants. Like 

 most singers it is a great cater, but a great eater of food 

 that is rich in nitrogen. By means of this strengthening 

 nourishment, its nuiscles acquire a wonderful strength 

 and its voice unequalled volume and sound. 



It chooses some sonorous glade or some solitary old 

 tree whereto give its concert, and twilight or the silent 

 night for the hour of its representation. (Thence its name 



