1^ CLASS AVES. 



mode of living, and the same familiarity a^ the red-breast, 

 but differs in some of its habits from that bird. The latter, 

 during summer, seeks for solitude in the depths of the forest, 

 but the blue-throat confines itself to their borders, seeks 

 marshes, humid places, osieries, and even reeds. After the 

 fine season it quits them, and, previously to its departure, 

 visits hedges and gardens, where it may be taken without 

 much difficulty. These birds, like the red-breasts, are not 

 encountered in flocks, and rarely more than two are ever 

 seen together. Towards the end of summer, they frequent 

 cultivated fields, and especially fields of pease, whither they 

 are no doubt attracted by the numerous insects which are 

 found there. But in autumn, when they voyage to the 

 south, they eat various berries. When this bird is on the 

 ground, it carries its tail elevated. 



This species is much less numerous than the red-breasts 

 every where. 



It places its nest commonly on willows, briars, and other 

 shrubs which grow on humid places, and constructs it of 

 grass, interlaced at the origin of the boughs or branches. 



We now come to that most celebrated of birds, in both 

 ancient and modern times, the Nightingale (Sylvia Luscinia). 



This species appertains to the old world. It inhabits 

 Europe from Italy and Spain, as far as Sweden, and is also 

 found in Siberia and a part of Asia. We are also informed 

 that it has been seen in China and Japan ; but there are 

 some countries in which it delights more than others. There 

 are some where it does not even remain. 



The nightingales quit the temperate countries of Europe 

 in autumn. As there was no certainty of any being found in 

 Africa, it was imagined that they retired into Asia. But at 

 present, it is known that those of Europe do take refuge in 

 Africa, to pass the winter. Sonnini informs us that there 

 are nightingales in the most eastern part of that great conti- 

 nent, and that in autumn, they arrive in Lower Egypt. This 



