C 3d ] 



few indeed ; becaufe the plumage is dull, nor is 

 there any thing peculiar in its make. 



The nightingale fings perhaps for two months *, 

 and then is never heard again till the return of the 

 fpring, when it is fuppofed to migrate to us from the 

 continent, with redftarts, and feveral other birds. 



That it cannot really do fo, feems highly probable, 

 from the following reafons. 



This bird is fcarcely ever feen to fly above twenty 

 yards, but creeps at the bottom of the hedges, in 

 fearch of maggots, and other infects, which are found 

 in the ground. 



If the fwallow is not fupplied with any food 

 during its paiTage acrofs oceans, much lefs can the 

 nightingale be fo accommodated ; and I have great 

 reafon to believe, from the death of birds in a cage, 

 which have had nothing to eat for twenty-four 

 hours, that thefe delicate and tender animals can- 

 not fupport a longer fait, though ufing no exercife 

 at all. 



To this I may alfo add, that thofe birds which feed 

 on infects are vaftly more feeble than thofe whofe bills 

 can crack feed, and confequently, lefs capable of 

 bearing any extraordinary hardfhips or fatigue. 



But other proofs are not wanting, that this bird 

 cannot migrate from England. 



* Whilfl it fings even, the bird can feldom be diftinguifhed, 

 beeauie it is then almoft perpetually in hedges, when the foliage 

 is thickeft, upon the firft burft of the fpring, and when no in- 

 fers can as yet have destroyed confiderable parts of the leaves. 



Nigh tin- 



