BRITISH BIRDS. 145 



and leaves, intermixed with small fibres, and lined 

 with hair, down, and other soft and warm sub- 

 stances. The business of incubation is entire- 

 ly performed by the female, whilst the male, at 

 no great distance, entertains her with his delight- 

 ful melody: as soon, however, as the young are 

 hatched, he leaves off singing, and joins her in 

 the care of providing for them. These birds make 

 a second hatch, and sometimes a third; and in hot 

 countries they are said to have four. 



The Nightingale is a solitary bird, and never 

 unites in flocks like many of the smaller birds, but 

 hides itself in the thickest parts of the bushes, 

 and sings generally in the night: its food consists 

 principally of insects, small worms, eggs of ants, 

 and sometimes berries of various kinds. Though 

 timorous and shy, they are easily caught ; lime 

 twigs and snares of all sorts are laid for them, 

 and generally succeed. Young ones are sometimes 

 brought up from the nest, and fed with great care 

 till they are able to sing. It is with great difficulty 

 that old birds are induced to sing after being 

 taken; for a considerable time they refuse to eat, 

 but by great attention to their treatment, and 

 avoiding every thing that might agitate them, 

 they at length resume their song, and continue it 

 during the greater part of the year. 



VOL. I. 



