1 86 cassell's book of birds. 



The NIGHTINGALES (Luscinia) are recognisable by their slender body, strong legs, high 

 tarsi, moderately long wings and tail, the latter of which is rounded at the extremity. The beak is 

 almost straight, and pointed at its tip ; the close thick plumage in both sexes is of a reddish grey. 



THE NIGHTINGALE. 



The Nightingale (Luscinia Philomela) — see Coloured Plate XVIII. — as the species so familiar 

 to us all is called, is reddish grey upon the upper part of the body, the top of the head and the back 

 being of a deeper shade ; the under side is light yellowish grey, palest on the throat and near the 

 centre of the breast ; the inner webs of the quills are dark brown, and the tail-feathers brownish red. 

 The eye is also brownish red, and the beak and feet reddish grey. In the young birds some of the 

 feathers on the back have light yellow spots on the shafts, and are edged with pale black, thus giving 

 the plumage a speckled appearance. The length of this bird is six inches and a half, and its breadth 

 nine inches and two-thirds ; the wing measures three and the tail two inches and three-quarters. 

 The female is slightly smaller than her mate. 



This Nightingale is met with over the whole continent of Europe, from Sweden to the 

 Mediterranean, and over a large portion of Central Asia, as far north as the middle of Siberia ; it 

 also visits North-western Africa in the course of its migrations. Central Europe, Turkey, and Asia 

 Minor possess a very similar species (Luscinia ?najor), although, as its name indicates, larger and 

 stronger than that above described, from which it is also distinguished by the shortness of the first 

 wing-quill, and the markings that adorn the breast. Both these vocalists are much alike in their 

 habits and general demeanour, but are readily identified by the peculiarities that characterise their 

 song. Woods, groves, and leafy forests in the immediate vicinity of water afford the favourite retreats 

 of these "most musical, most melancholy" songsters; in such localities they live, each pair within 

 its own especial domain, which, although small, is jealously guarded, and boldly defended from all 

 intrusion. The larger species would seem to prefer low-lying districts, but its more celebrated relative, 

 according to Tschudi, is met with in Switzerland and Spain, at an altitude of from 3,000 to 5,000 

 feet above the sea, if trees and brushwood be there attainable. Some parts of Southern Europe 

 are especially frequented by these delightful birds ; Spain in particular is extremely fortunate in this 

 respect ; and in certain districts their enchanting voices are heard from every bush and hedge. The 

 declivities of Sierra Morena may be literally described as an extensive " nightingale garden ; " and 

 those who, like ourselves, have been so fortunate as to spend a spring morning on Montserrat, or an 

 evening within the walls of the ruined Alhambra, must own that they have enjoyed a concert of sweet 

 sounds that could not be surpassed. For our own part, as we listened to a hundred thrilling voices 

 combining in the performance of their vesper hymn, we were ready to exclaim, with good old Izaak 

 Walton, " Lord, what psalmody hast thou provided for thy saints in heaven, when thou affordest bad 

 men such music on earth ! " The general demeanour of the Nightingale is eminently reserved and 

 dignified, and would appear to indicate that it was fully conscious of the admiration it can command. 

 Even when hopping over the ground, it preserves a certain air of stateliness, as it springs from spot 

 to spot, with body erect and tail upraised, pausing for a moment before every fresh effort. Whilst 

 perching in the trees, also, the tail is elevated, but the wings are allowed to droop. Should the bird 

 desire to pass from one branch to another, it accomplishes its object by one active leap, and rarely 

 condescends to amuse itself by jumping from twig to twig. The flight of the Nightingale is 

 undulatory, but though light and rapid, it is rarely sustained beyond a short distance : that these 

 birds, however, are capable of great exertion whilst on the wing must be evident to all who have 

 witnessed the endeavours of two contending rivals to drive each other from the field. 



No sooner have the Nightingales arrived in Europe than their song is to be heard almost 



