CHAP, xiv.] ENTER BIRD-CATCHER. 447 



esteemed. Perhaps, in abstaining from Nightingale 

 feasts, we may be neglecting to take the goods the gods 

 provide us ; for, says Aldrovandi, " Although Joannes 

 Bruyerinus asserts that Nightingales are not used as 

 food by polite persons in our days, yet to myself at 

 least, who formerly used often to eat them (esitavi), they 

 have afforded neither an unsavoury nor unhealthy, 

 although scanty dish." Were they to become the 

 fashion at London dinners, they could be supplied 

 during their season by the poulterers, at a rate not 

 dearer than is paid for many delicacies, especially those 

 out of season. I will not too strongly advocate their 

 introduction to table, but it would be a good thing if 

 M. Soyer, or some other philanthropic cook, could bring 

 entrees of small birds more into vogue. 



C. What! singing birds ? 



E.-A. Yes, singing birds; the mischievous creatures! 

 You ought to know how good Larks are ; and many a 

 time when in Rome I have supped admirably after the 

 opera off roasted Thrushes. 



C. "It were a goot motion if we were to leave our 

 pribbles and prabbles," as Sir Hugh Evans would tell 

 you rather sharply ; but you will have your swing. 



E.-A. I have done, for here comes a bird-catcher; 

 I know the cut of his gib well ; he must be the son of 

 the man of whom, years ago, I used to buy twopenny 

 Linnets and threepenny Goldfinches, with their wings 

 tied behind them, to save them from fluttering to 

 death. 



BIRD-CATCHER. Fine da', gen'lemin. Sarvint, Sar. 



E.-A. How dy'e do, Mr. Coyham ? Can you manage 

 to catch us this Nightingale ? 



B.-C. Think I can, Sar, in about ten minutes. 



