338 SUMMER. 



rival in every coppice, and, in some places, almost upon 

 every tree ; and as though the note of each comes to 

 the ear of a listener differently pitched and toned, 

 according to the mass of air through which its pulsa- 

 tions have to be propagated, the two which are in 

 strife which shall " win the dame," or charm her the 

 most after she is won, are equally loud to each other. 

 No combination of the letters of the alphabet can give 

 even a notion of the song of the nightingale of any of 

 the songs, for he has not only more notes than any 

 other bird, but has absolutely a cabinet of music ; and 

 though there be a wonderful melody in them all, some 

 are so unlike the others, that one could with difficulty 

 believe that they are uttered by the same bird. It is 

 vain, however, to attempt describing the music of that 

 minstrel; those who are familiar with it, would, of 

 course, laugh at the most laboured delineation; and 

 to those who are not, description is little better than 

 playing an air to the deaf, or painting a rose-bud to the 

 blind. 



Each strives with the other, and if foiled in one key 

 or in one expression of notes, he instantly strikes into 

 another, till all the trees around are in one musical 

 contest. The females, too, come in with their mur- 

 muring notes in the pauses, as if they were eulogizing 

 the victors ; and at this the whole take courage, and 

 repeat the competition. Nor do they sing alone ; the 

 petty chaps roosted for the night in the tree nearest to 

 the home of his family, catches the alarm. He, too, 

 won his mate by song, and may lose her in the same 

 way. Accordingly, he flies to a higher perch, and 

 contributes all that he can to the melody ; and that is 



