SYLVIAS. 55 



THE BLUE-THEOATED BEDSTAET. Phcenicura Snecica. 

 This is a yet rarer visitant than the last species. On the 

 Continent it is generally diffused, but not abundantly, ex- 

 cept in a few localities. Tt delights to breed in the vicinity 

 of damp situations, and places its nest on the ground. The 

 eggs are from four to six in number, of a greenish-blue 

 colour. 



THE NIGHTINGALE. Philomela Inscinia. The Nightin- 

 gale visits our island at the close of April or beginning of 

 May, and retires again in August or early in September. 

 On the European continent it is very widely spread, abound- 

 ing in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and extending northwards 

 as far as Sweden and Eussia; but in the British Islands it 

 is very partial in its distribution, being almost unknown in 

 Scotland and Wales, unless perhaps occasionally on the 

 southern borders of the latter country, and never visiting 

 Ireland. It does not reside in the Channel Islands (Guern- 

 sey, Jersey, etc.), nor does it visit Cornwall or the western 

 part of Devonshire, but is principally found in the south- 

 eastern section of our island, including Kent, Surrey, Sussex, 

 Hampshire, Berkshire, Middlesex, Hertfordshire, Cambridge- 

 shire, and Essex. In our own part of Hampshire we think 

 it may be described as abundant. It frequents copses in 



