Birds. 5687 



barely half an inch in length and very narrow, third longest, the second but little 

 shorter, fourth nearly the same, from ninth to fifth inclusive regularly graduating, 

 tenth a mere trifle longer than the former, eleventh 1^-tenth of an inch shorter than 

 the tenth, which, together with the four following, vary so slightly as to appear almost 

 of the same length, but the sixteenth is longer by 1-tenth, and the seventeenth is fully 

 1-tenth longer still, but the eighteenth suddenly decreases by 1^-tenth, and the nine- 

 teenth is so short and flexible as to be barely distinguishable from the primary coverts, 

 which are dark brown in the centre, margined with light yellowish brown. Secondaries 

 the same till they approach the flexure, where they become slightly margined with 

 gray. Montagu considered it very local, for he says : — " We have not been able to 

 trace this species far North, nor into all the South-eastern counties: the borders of 

 Gloucestershire and Hampshire have hitherto been the utmost of their known range 

 eastward.'' Pennant, who mentions its having been found in Shropshire, observes, 

 "The hind claw shorter and more crooked than is usual in the lark kind.'' On read- 

 ing this I had the curiosity to compare the two, for there is nothing like mensuration 

 in these matters (although a Russian Prince has been criticized of late for carrying 

 about with him a yard wand). I found that the hind claw of the lark measured 

 three-fourths of an inch, that of the grasshopper warbler, as has been already stated, 

 only 2j-tenths of an inch. No great resemblance here ! — Id. 



Note on the Nightingale (Motacilla luscinia, Linn.) — April 20th, 1857 (thermo- 

 meter 65°). — At six o'clock p.m. I revisited the spot where a nightingale was first 

 heard on the 11th instant. After vainly waiting for some half-hour or more, I was 

 returning home disappointed, when the clear but distant notes of one could be plainly 

 distinguished above that of every other songster. We (for I was accompanied by 

 one of my sons) immediately hastened to the spot. To leave the high road, cross a 

 ploughed field, and clear a hedge, seemed, in our state of excitement, but a momentary 

 affair. As we drew near, not one only, but several of these sweet warblers were pour- 

 ing forth their melodious notes at the same moment, apparently vying with each other 

 in eager but peaceful rivalry. We now found ourselves in a lane, bordered on either 

 side by hawthorn hedges, which, like most others in this neighbourhood, had been 

 allowed to grow up in a natural and luxuriant manner, to our left; and adjoining the 

 road there was a small plantation, chiefly of oak, but the ground at the foot of the 

 trees was completely covered with tangled bushes and briers ; an old, unused cart-road 

 running through the midst of it, on the entrance-gate to which we sat ourselves quietly 

 down to listen to and enjoy this unexpected serenade. I never before, that I am aware 

 of, heard more than one or two at a time, but now there were three or four singing at 

 once, and so powerfully that the thrilling sensation caused by it is more easily ima- 

 gined than described. And what met our eyes was equally astonishing; for we had 

 barely time to take up our post of inspection when my son directed my attention, 

 although it was not needed, to two of these most elegant birds (for the nightingale, 

 though so modestly attired, is inferior to none in lightness and beauty of form) in pur- 

 suit of each other; and so regardless were they of our presence that they frequently, 

 in their windings, passed so close that I could clearly distinguish the colour of the 

 plumage, particularly the reddish brown feathers of the tails, which were momentarily 

 expanded before alighting on the bushes, which they occasionally did within four or 

 five yards of us, when they would at once commence their song, which was generally 

 taken up or immediately followed by others that were continually sporting about, 

 occasionally alighting on the ground, and one I saw, but for an instant only, pilch on 



