THE NIGHTINGALE. 141 



the lining is made of fibrous roots. Sometimes 

 the "poet bird" displays an extraordinary taste 

 in the selection" of materials; and Mr. Mm'ray 

 describes a nest which he found, composed wholly 

 of those skeleton leaves, which in spring and 

 autumn lie scattered in woods and gardens, con- 

 sisting only of the fibres, from which the green 

 portion has been separated by sun and rain. As 

 these leaves are not to be found everywhere, the 

 little bird must have taken some pains to gratify her 

 taste in arranging her home. The eggs are four 

 or five in number, of an olive brown colour. The 

 young birds make their appearance in June, after 

 which we seldom hear the nightingale, or if he 

 sings at all, it is with little spirit and vigour. 



This bird has generally two or three favourite 

 trees near its nest, where it sings its sweetest 

 songs, keeping all the time a watchful eye on its 

 family. In the course of about a fortnight after 

 the nestlings are hatched, they are covered with 

 feathers, and, though unable to fly, they will quit 

 the nest, jumping from twig to twig, after the parent 

 birds. Sometimes, when a wanderer through the 

 wood comes near the well-guarded nest, the night- 

 ingale will practise some little art to wile him 



