NIGHTINGALE. 
95 
nvsussoBFS. 
DENTIROSTRES. SYLVIADM, 
PLATE LXIV. 
NIGHTINGALE. 
Sylvia luscinia. 
It is well known that, in some parts of England, Nightin¬ 
gales are very abundant, while in others, apparently offering 
the same natural advantages, they are never found. They 
are most numerous on the eastern coast, and extend as far as 
the southern border of Durham, which appears to be their 
boundary in that direction. They are found in some of the 
midland and southern counties of England, as far west as the 
third degree of longitude, as observed by Mr. Blyth ; but in 
the western half of the kingdom, including the greater part 
of Devonshire, Cornwall, Wales, and Lancashire, they are 
never met with ; neither have they been ever found in Scot¬ 
land or Ireland. 
Respecting the partial distribution of these delightful 
singers, many conjectures have been hazarded, but none either 
very conclusive or satisfactory. “ Nightingales,” observes 
Gilbert White, “ not only never reach Northumberland and 
Scotland, but also, as I have been always told, Devonshire 
and Cornwall. In these last two counties, we cannot attri¬ 
bute the failure of them to the want of warmth ; the defect 
in the west is rather a presumptive argument that these birds 
come over to us from the continent at the narrowest passage, 
and do not stroll so far westward.” How is it, then, we 
