THE ENGLISH NIGHTINGALE. 123 



THE ENGLISH NIGHTINGALE. 



PROBABLY no known song-bird has been so lauded and praised as this master of 

 all songsters. His plain colors are not in the least attractive, but his magnificent 

 voice has no equal. Although very unpretending in color, and insignificant in size, 

 he is universally known as the " King of songsters." Each class of song-birds has 

 its special admirers, and each class is heard with pleasure as long as the Nightingale 

 remains silent. Some of the numerous favorites are admired for the beautiful tone, 

 others for the softness and purity of the voice, and still others for their delightful 

 trills and warbles. The Nightingale combines all these charming qualities, and adds 

 more ; for he seems to monopolize all the perfections of melody and voice. 



The Nightingale measures about six inches and a half in length. The whole 

 of the upper part is reddish brown ; the breast a dull white, shading into brown ; 

 and the throat and belly pale gray ; the tail is reddish brown, long and rounded. 



The Nightingale is met with over the whole continent of Europe, from Sweden to 

 the Mediterranean, and over a large portion of Central Asia as far north as the 

 middle of Siberia. He also visits North-western Africa in the course of his migra- 

 tions. Woods, groves, and leafy forests, in the immediate vicinity of water, afford 

 the favorite retreats of these most musical, most melancholy songsters. In such 

 localities they live, each pair within its own especial domain, which, although small, 

 is jealously guarded and boldly defended from all intrusion. Some parts of Southern 

 Europe are especially frequented by these delightful birds. Spain, in particular, is 

 extremely fortunate in this respect ; and in certain districts their enchanting voices 

 are heard from every bush and hedge. The declivities of Sierra Morena may be 

 literally described as an extensive Nightingale garden. 



The flight of the bird is undulatory ; but, though light and rapid, it is rarely sus- 

 tained beyond a short distance. That these birds, however, are capable of great 

 exertion while on the wing, must be evident to any one who has witnessed the endeav- 

 ors of two contending rivals in love-matters to drive each other from the field. 



No sooner have the Nightingales arrived at their nesting-places in Europe, about 

 the middle of April, than their songs are to be heard almost incessantly. Some 

 pour forth their trilling notes through the long, bright night, just as the American 

 Mocking-birds whistle during the moonlight nights of spring-time and early summer ; 

 but generally they sing only in the daytime, except during the breeding season, 

 when the desire to please and attract their mates renders the male birds excited and 

 restless. The nest, built in some hollow in the ground, or in the roots or stump of 

 a tree, is made of leaves, dried grass, bits of bark and roots, and lined with finer 

 grass and horsehair loosely put together. There are five eggs in a nest, and only 



