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humid situations, sequestered shrubberies, embowered co- 

 verts, rich parks, and wooded lawns. The nest is usually 

 built in some retired situation, generally on or near the 

 ground. One now before us is composed, externally, chiefly 

 of dried grass and oak-leaves ; and the inside, which is deep 

 and cup-shaped, is lined chiefly with soft moss, with a few 

 hairs and fibres. The eggs, usually four or five in number, 

 are olive-brown or green, sometimes mottled with a darker 

 tint, and do not resemble the eggs of any other British 

 bird. "The song of the Nightingale," says the author of 

 1 Our Song Birds/ " is scarcely continued through three 

 months, when it ceases, and the bird utters only a hoarse, 

 croaking cry. At this period however (August) the young 

 males, of the first brood particularly, may be heard record- 

 ing, or warbling as it were, in imitation of their parent, whose 

 notes they appear to have studied. At the age of five or 

 six years, the Nightingale begins to fail in the execution of 

 his strain, arid sings by broken snatches, instead of pouring 

 out one continuous stream of melody ; this also often occurs 

 after one or two years of captivity ; it is then recommended 

 to give the prisoner liberty in the month of May, and 

 birds so restored to freedom have been known to regain 

 their song in all its original force and beauty, owing no 



