A HUNT FOR THE NIGHTINGALE. 95 



boys would say." This was tantalizing; Guildford 

 was within easy reach ; but the previous week that 

 could not be reached. However, he encouraged me 

 by saying he did not think they were done singing 

 yet, as he had often heard them during haying-time. 

 I inquired for the black-cap, but saw he did not 

 know this bird, and thought I referred to a species of 

 tomtit, which also has a black cap. The wood- lark 

 I was also on the lookout for, but he did not know 

 this bird either, and during my various rambles in 

 England I found but one person who did. In Scot- 

 land it was confounded with the titlark or pipit. 



I next met a man and boy, a villager with a stove- 

 pipe hat on, and, as it turned out, a man of many 

 trades, tailor, barber, painter, etc., from Hazlemere. 

 The absorbing inquiry was put to him also. No, not 

 that day, but a few mornings before he had. But 

 he could easily call one out, if there were any about, 

 as he could imitate them. Plucking a spear of grass, 

 he adjusted it behind his teeth and startled me with 

 the shrill, rapid notes he poured forth. I at once 

 recognized its resemblance to the descriptions I had 

 read of the opening part of the nightingale song, 

 what is called the " challenge." The boy said, and 

 he himself averred, that it was an exact imitation. 

 The chew, chew, chew, and some other parts, were 

 very bird-like, and I had no doubt were correct. I 

 was astonished at the strong, piercing quality of the 

 strain. It echoed in the woods and copses about, 

 but, though oft repeated, brought forth no response. 



