THE ENGLISH NIGHTINGALE. 



place, the cage being covered at night. Add glycerine and a small piece of rock- 

 candy daily to his drinking-water. 



Decline, or Melancholy, is caused, first, by neglect, or ignorance in feeding the 

 bird : the ignorance consists in giving the bird only the plain prepared food with no 

 change, which causes a gradual decline, or wasting away of the body. It may come, 

 secondly, from natural causes during mating season, or from the absence of song- 

 birds in the vicinity. The Nightingale is fond of rivalry ; and birds, if hung in his 

 neighborhood, are welcome friends. Rich food in abundance, and a little extra 

 attention, are usually the remedies for this disease. 



The Nightingale's feet require frequent attention, and should be examined at 

 least once a week, and, if they have a dirty or clogged appearance, should be care- 

 fully cleaned, and bathed in warm water. Bathe afterwards with glycerine if the 

 feet appear sore. 



In the past three or four years the sale of these birds has greatly increased, 

 because lovers of the grandest and sweetest bird-music have learned how to so care 

 for the performer as to elicit from him most charming melodies. He has a natural 

 song, and, like the American Mocking-bird, is also a mimic. His cage may hang 

 by itself in a less frequented part of the bird-room ; but, the more singers there are 

 in the same room for him to contend with and surpass, the wider will be his range 

 of voice. 



When carefully attended to, the Nightingale will live in good health and song to 

 the age of fifteen years. 



THE ASS -AND THE NIGHTINGALE. 



FROM THK RUSSIAN OF KRILOV. 



An Ass a Nightingale espied, 

 And shouted out, " Holloa ! holloa ! good friend I 

 Thou art a first-rate singer, they pretend : 

 Now let me hear thee, that I may decide. 

 I really wish to know the world is partial ever 

 If thou hast this great gift, and art indeed so clever." 



The Nightingale began her heavenly lays, 



Through all the regions of sweet music ranging, 



Varying her song a thousand different ways, 



Rising and falling, lingering, ever changing, 



Full of wild rapture now, then sinking oft 



To almost silence, melancholy, soft, 



As distant shepherd's pipe at evening's close ; 



Strewing the wood with lovelier music ; there 



All nature seems to listen and repose ; 



No zephyr dares disturb the tranquil air; 



All other voices of the grove are still. 



And the charmed flocks lie down beside the rill. 



The shepherd like a statue stands, afraid 

 His breathing may disturb the melody; 



