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to a heap of leaves (protection). The eggs also are protected by their 

 colour (olive green). As the birds breed only once during the year, the 

 male only sings for a short time, until about the middle of June. 

 (Compare, on the other hand, the lark.) The song of the nightingale is 

 the most glorious that proceeds from the throat of any bird — now sounding 

 softly, like the long-drawn note of a flute ; now ringing out in joyous 

 peals ; sometimes plaintive and dreamy ; at one time loud, at another 

 soft. How varied is its beautiful, attractive song ! and how soft and 

 rich its splendid notes ! Nor does the bird ever seem to tire of pouring 

 forth its melodies, for only a few brief hours of the night are allowed for 

 rest. (The word nightingale means " One that sings in the night.") 

 And yet to think that men can commit the barbarous crime of slaying 

 and consuming by thousands this unequalled songster, as is done in the 

 countries of the Mediterranean during its migrations to Africa (August 

 to September). 



Allied Species. 



In the districts of the Oder and Vistula the place of the nightingale 

 is occupied by the Northern Nightingale (L. major). Its plumage is 

 as inconspicuous and its song as beautiful as that of its Western 

 relative. Perhaps the most welcome of our winter visitors is the 

 charming little Redbreast (Erythacus nubecula) ; it takes its name from 

 the red spot which adorns its throat. The upper side of this bird is of 

 an inconspicuous olive-brown colour. Its food consists of all kinds of 

 insects, which it picks up from the ground, and also of berries. The 

 Black Redstart (Ruticilla tithys), the name of which, like that of the 

 redbreast, is based on a fact (explain why), nests, careless of the doings 

 of men, in holes in walls and on the beams of buildings. Its relative 

 the Redstart (R. pluenicura) is a handsome bird (upper side blue-grey, 

 throat black, breast and tail rufous, wings brown). It breeds in the 

 holes of trees. Both species of redstarts feed on all kinds of insects, 

 which they pick up from the ground. The birds of this family hitherto 

 mentioned pass their life chiefly on the ground (ground-warblers), and 

 therefore maintain, like the wagtails (which see) an erect attitude of 

 body. Another group of warblers, comprising the genus Sylvia proper, 

 assume a more horizontal position, which renders them "capable of 

 slipping through thick hedges. These birds only rarely descend to the 

 ground. They live more especially on insects, which they capture on 

 the wing or pick off from bushes. They do not, however, despise juicy 

 berries. Of the numerous species belonging to this group, we shall only 

 mention the Garden Warbler (S. hortensis) and the Blackcap (S. 

 atricapilla). Both species are found everywhere in our gardens and 



