NIGHTINGALE. 93 



It is interesting to note that the whole Yorkshire distribution 

 of the Nightingale lies strictly within the lowlands, and nowhere 

 exceeds 250 feet above sea-level, except in the single instance 

 of its breeding in the Spa Gardens at Harrogate. Indeed the 

 foot-hills of the Pennine Range, of the Cleveland Hills, and even 

 those of the Chalk Wolds, form fringing barriers of the bird's 

 range, a fact which accounts, no doubt, for its rarity about 

 Sheffield. These facts in the Yorkshire distribution of the 

 Nightingale may throw some light on the conditions which 

 determine the singular range of the bird in England. 



On the fringe of its range in Yorkshire the Nightingale is 

 not at all constant to one particular haunt, but would seem to 

 divide its affections between several in the neighbourhood, and 

 this, too, when it has succeeded in rearing its young in safety, 

 and without receiving that undesirable attention from the 'mad- 

 ding crowd' so often attracted by its song. In some seasons it is 

 more abundant in Yorkshire than in others. Thus in 1876 it 

 was noted as absent from its accustomed haunts in the East 

 Riding; while in 1879 it was particularly abundant in the 

 county. This varying abundance may to some extent account 

 for its intermittent appearance in the more northern and out- 

 lying districts within its range. 



Regarding the dates of the bird's arrival and departure in 

 the county, we have but few reliable data, for the species has 

 hitherto escaped notice during the periods of its migrations. Its 

 appearance may be expected in the last week in April, but the 

 late Mr. Lister, of Barnsley, gives the average date of arrival for 

 South Yorkshire as the 8th of May. A pair nesting at Brough, 

 in 1880, departed with their young in August. 



The earliest allusion to this species as a Yorkshire bird with 

 which I am acquainted is the one made by Pennant in 1766, 

 already mentioned. The first edition of Pennant's w^ork was 

 issued in that year, and the statement as to the abundance of 

 this bird about Doncaster there given is repeated in subsequent 

 editions. 



