367 



it a quarrelsome bird towards others of its own species, except during the pairing-season, when 

 frequent disputes occur amongst the males. It usually frequents the lower branches of the trees 

 or the bushes, where it does not move about much, but sits with the wings rather drooped ; and 

 when it moves it usually flirts its tail, which, when the bird is sitting, is held in an almost 

 horizontal position. When on the ground it carries the body erect, and looks very long-legged ; 

 it progresses by means of long jumps, and after taking ten or a dozen it usually stands still, 

 pauses for a moment, as if thinking of what is next to be done, and then, with a flirt of the 

 tail, hops on again. Its food, which is chiefly picked up from the ground, consists of worms, 

 insects, and especially of insect-larvee ; and it frequently searches for insects in old rotten timber 

 and moss ; it is also said to be very fond not only of the larva? of ants (or so-called ants' eggs), but 

 also of the ants themselves. Naumann says that it is partial to currants, both red and black, when 

 ripe, and is very fond of elder-berries. Insects, however, are its staple food ; and its partiality for 

 a meal-worm renders it an easy victim to the bird-catchers. Large numbers are trapped every 

 season ; but few survive ; for it is certainly one of the most difficult species to keep in confinement. 

 Most of the birds are caught soon after they arrive ; and but comparatively few of these are 

 females. According to Mr. Harting {fide Newton, I. <?.), " in the year 1867 three London bird- 

 catchers, between April 13th and May 2nd, took two hundred and twenty-five Nightingales — all, 

 except some half dozen, cock birds. The previous year the same men supplied the dealer who 

 employed them with two hundred and eighty Nightingales, of which not more than sixty were 

 hens." 



When both males and females have arrived from the south they soon commence nidification, 

 and appear to resort to their old breeding-locality. At first not a few conflicts for the possession 

 of the coveted locality take place ; but when they have all selected their mates each pair seem to 

 settle down quietly in a suitable place ; and they then live in amity together, though each pair 

 assert the right of possession in their own small domain. The site for the nest is selected in a 

 garden where the hedges are thick, or in a well-shaded lane, or else in a wood where the under- 

 wood is not too dense, and where the grass and low growth is thick in places. The nest is placed 

 either on or close to the ground, in the latter case usually not more than a foot or so high, in a 

 bunch of twigs, in an old tree-trunk, or in a dense hedge or bundle of faggots. The structure is 

 composed outside of dry leaves, usually of the oak, inside which are a few dry bents, and some- 

 times rushes or even fine flags ; and the cup is carefully lined with fine roots and bents, and 

 occasionally a little horsehair is added. The eggs, from four to six in number, are deposited in 

 May, only one brood being raised in the season. They are uniform deep olive-brown in colour, 

 sometimes with a greenish tinge, and occasionally tinged with reddish brown on a greenish blue 

 or an olive-green surface, which is sometimes entirely and sometimes only partially exposed ; and 

 not unfrequently the brown is collected at one end of the egg. In size they vary from about 



H by H to U by H ^ch. 



4 



When the young are hatched the male ceases its song, and appears to devote its time to 

 procure food for its offspring. Should danger threaten, a single loud croak is uttered as an 

 alarm-note, occasionally accompanied by a snapping of the bill. Its usual call-note is a clear, 

 somewhat prolonged, wid or weed; and pleasure is expressed by a deep note like tack. Its flight 

 is swift and light ; but it usually flies only short distances from bush to bush, and, during the 



I 



