382 INSECTI VOILE. 



first, because its habits are so concealed, and so much has 

 been written on the subject of its song, that there remains 

 little to be added ; secondly, because there is no mistaking 

 the nightingale, as no other bird sings at the time when its 

 song has the greatest effect; and thirdly, because, though the 

 bird often sings when there is light enough to see it, it is 

 just as much concealed as during the night. 



The nightingale is the largest of all the warblers, being 

 about seven inches in length, between ten and eleven in the 

 extent of the wings, and three-quarters of an ounce in weight. 

 In shape and expression it resembles the garden warbler, only 

 it seems a little softer and heavier, and its plumage is infe- 

 rior in tint. 



The colours of the nightingale are : the bill wood brown, 

 with the basal end of the lower mandible pale yellowish- 

 brown, and the tarsi (which are long) and the toes of the 

 same colour; upper parts deep yellowish-brown, inclining to 

 reddish-brown ; the quills and greater coverts dusky brown, 

 with reddish-brown margins; and the tail deep reddish- 

 brown, and very slightly forked; sides of the neck, ear 

 coverts, breast, and flanks, pale ash grey, passing into greyish- 

 white on the throat and middle of the belly; an obscure 

 dusky streak passing from the gape down the side of 

 the neck, and passing imperceptibly into the grey on the 

 breast. The colours of the female are nearly the same as 

 those of the male. The nest is a simple structure, formed 

 on the ground below brakes, underwood, or hedges, com- 

 posed of withered leaves and fibres, and lined with withered 

 grass. The eggs are from four to six, of a plain olive brown, 

 often varying a little in the intensity of the tint, but without 

 markings. 



The male nightingales arrive in Britain about the begin- 

 ning of May, and, as is the case with some of the other 

 warblers, they may be seen in the open places near woods 



