THE NIGHTINGALE. 277 



The Nightingale arrives at its breeding-grounds in the south of England 

 about the middle of Aprils but not before the latter end of the month or 

 the beginning of May in the most northerly localities. As the male 

 Nightingale sings well in confinement and possesses such rich and varied 

 musical powers, it is sought after eagerly by the bird-catcherSj and during 

 the first week or so of its sojourn in England great numbers are caught. 

 But the Nightingale does not bear captivity well ; and by far the greater 

 number that are caught die within a short time of their capture. It is 

 said that if a male is caught after having found a mate, he seldom lives in 

 confinement, but pines away. The bird-catchers, therefore, are always on 

 the look-out to entrap their victims the moment they arrive. Birds caught 

 in the autumn seldom live long. 



The Nightingale in many of its habits closely resembles the Robin ; 

 and the haunts it affects are in many cases very similar. Singularly 

 enough, it is only found in certain localities in England, shunning 

 others which seem in all respects suited to it. The Nightingale is a very 

 skulking bird, frequenting the dense undergrowth, hopping restlessly about 

 the cover, and when alarmed it instantly finds shelter amongst the tangled 

 vegetation. Sometimes in the woods and coppices it is seen flitting across 

 the path ; and its harsh croaking call-note, something like the Whitethroat's, 

 may be heard from all parts of the cover. The haunts of the Nightingale 

 are woods and plantations in which the undergrowth is particularly thick and 

 close. Tangled hedgerows and the thickly-wooded banks of streams are 

 also favourite haunts of this bird. In this respect it shows the same 

 preference as the Robin, seeking marshy places whore worms and insects, 

 which form its chief food, are found abundantly. 



When searching for its food the Nightingale instantly puts you in mind 

 of the Robin. It alights on the ground, looks carefully around, and then 

 commences to turn over the dead leaves in search of worms and grubs. It 

 will then hop daintily along, every moment pausing to listen with head 

 slightly turned aside, and its full dark eye gazing intently at you. Like 

 the Robin, the present species has a habit of repeatedly jerking up its 

 tail, lowering the head, and drooping the wings. Although so fond of 

 concealment, and so shy and timid that it seeks the cover the instant it is 

 alarmed, it may often be seen in the open places in the woods, sometimes 

 by the roadside, or in gardens; but if observed, like the Thrushes, it 

 soon seeks seclusion. "When alarmed its note is a low guttural one, 

 and it will repeatedly snap its bill in its extreme anxiety. Its call-note 

 is a long-drawn plaintive weet, very similar to that of the Robin. Its 

 voice is heard soon after its arrival ; and it sings incessantly from 

 pairing-time in April until the young are hatched in June. From 

 this period its notes are rarely heard ; for the bird is too busy bringing 

 up its young to find time to sing; and when they are safely reared. 



