NIGHTINGALE. 301 



THE NIGHTINGALE is admitted beyond dispute to possess 

 in a higher degree than any other British Bird each of the 

 three requisites necessary to form by their combination a 

 first-rate song. The volume, quality, and execution of its 

 voice are unrivalled in this country ; and when the dimi- 

 nutive size of the musician is considered, its powers are 

 certainly very extraordinary. The song of the Nightingale 

 has accordingly been the theme of writers of all ages, and 

 few have expressed their admiration in more fervent or 

 more natural terms than honest Isaac Walton, who loved 

 birds almost as well as he loved fish, and says, "But the 

 Nightingale, another of my airy creatures, breathes such 

 sweet loud music out of her little instrumental throat, that 

 it might make mankind to think that miracles are not 

 ceased. He that at midnight, when the very labourer 

 sleeps securely, should hear, as I have very often, the clear 

 airs, the sweet descants, the natural rising and falling, the 

 doubling and redoubling of her voice, might well be lifted 

 above earth, and say, ' Lord, what music hast thou pro- 

 vided for the saints in Heaven, when thou affordest bad 

 men such music on earth ! ' ' 



The Nightingale makes its appearance in this country 

 generally about the middle of April, and the males arrive 

 ten or fourteen days before the females. As the males sing 

 well in confinement, and produce a price in proportion to 

 the perfection of their song, their arrival is taken immediate 

 advantage of. Many are caught by the London bird- 

 catchers during the first week, and these are preserved 

 without difficulty ; but if a male be caught after the fe- 

 males have arrived, and his song and attentions have gained 

 him a mate, he is almost certain not to survive his confine- 

 ment in a cage ; and hence the desire among the dealers in 

 birds to make the most of the very first of the season. 



