180 nature's choristers. 



themselves, and autumn arrives, the nightingale migrates 

 to the western shores of Europe, and then proceeds south- 

 ward until it reaches Africa, where it spends the winter. 

 It never appears to pass the Atlas mountains. Though 

 very abundant in Spain and Italy, where the genial climate 

 would seem to favour its permanent residence, it migrates 

 regularly at the approach of winter, just as it does in our 

 own colder land. 



The Blackcap, the Garden Warbler, and the White- 

 throat claim a prominent place among the singers in 

 Nature's feathered choir. The first named frequents the 

 woods, orchards, and gardens ; is shy and timorous ; builds 

 its nest in the bushes ; and fills the echoes with a peculiarly 

 loud, clear, and rapid song. Perhaps, in the tribe of War- 

 blers, it may justly demand to be regarded as second only 

 to the nightingale. The garden warbler, also a summer 

 visitor, is partial to pulpy fruits, as well as larvae and 

 insects ; and this partiality induces it to build in and 

 about our gardens and orchards, that it may satisfy its 

 appetite at will. It generally sings in the midst of the 

 densest copses, where it can feel safe from intrusion, and 

 pour forth its melody at leisure. Of the whitethroat we 

 may record that it is a popular favourite, and hence re- 

 joices in an extraordinary number of amusing sobriquets ; 

 such as Peggy Whitethroat, Blethering Tarn, Whattie, 

 Whiskey, Muftie, Beardy. It is a quick, vivacious bird, 

 clothed in a light grayish brown plumage on the upper 

 part of the body, and a grayish white on the under. It 

 deserves, we think, a better character than White of Sel- 



