324 Appendix. 



The Rev. A. Rawson, who has paid close attention to the 

 nightingale and the nightingale's song, is inclined to limit 

 very specifically the portion of Devon in which the bird is 

 found. He says — 



" Its partial distribution over England is exceedingly 

 curious and unaccountable. In the South, the western 

 limit of its migration would appear to be the valley of the 

 Exe, and even in this part of Devon it is extremely rare, 

 though of all counties this seems exceptionally suited to its 

 requirements. It is found in Glamorgan, is plentiful in the 

 valley of the Wye, but is unknown in the Channel Islands 

 and Ireland. Apparently its migration is due north and 

 south within defined limits, and outside these limits a few 

 stragglers only are found. Its habits are well known in 

 localities where it breeds, and the regularity of its return to 

 old haunts is remarkable. In my own garden in Kent, 

 where I spent forty years of my life, in a parish notorious 

 for the abundance as well as the quality of its nightingales, 

 the arrival of this bird was regularly recorded under most 

 favourable circumstances, and I find by my note-book that 

 ten days mark the extremes. It built always in my garden, 

 and the nest was usually in low underwood, near or on the 

 ground, but I found that a good mass of old peasticks was 

 also a favourite situation. The song lasts till the young are 

 hatched, but I noticed that when the nest had been taken 

 and a second brood hatched, the song was not nearly so 

 continuous ; it is at its best about the second week of 

 May. . . . 



" The nightingale is becoming much scarcer in England 

 and in Europe generally, owing to the bird-catchers. In 

 this country it is now protected by the Wild Birds' Pre- 

 servation Acts, which were passed not a moment too soon. 

 It is a well-known fact that one year, between April 13th 

 and May 2nd, no fewer than 225 nightingales, all cocks ex- 

 cept six, were sent to a dealer by three bird-catchers. The 

 ease with which it is caught on its first arrival is remarkable, 



