the Nightingale. 133 



The Cuckoo was heard for the first time in song; 

 His voice was at once clear, resounding, and strong. 



rather less than the male ; the plumage of both nearly alike. In 

 consequence of its unostentatious colours, its shyness, and 

 its frequenting thickets and woods, it is rarely seen, and there- 

 fore little known. Builds a nest in low bushes or quick set 

 hedges, well covered with foliage; and, it is said, sometimes on 

 the ground ; it is externally composed of dry leaves, mixed with 

 grass and fibres lined with hair or down ; eggs, four or five, olive 

 green. It is common to Europe, Asia, and Africa. It does not 

 appear that it has ever been found in America, although several 

 birds in that continent are called by its name. Three varie- 

 ties; one with the body entirely white; one of more than ordi- 

 nary size. It is said, that there are two sub-varieties of this 

 species; one, which sings only in the night; and another, which 

 sings more frequently during the day. This is, I think, ex- 

 tremely questionable ; for, if sameness of note be any proof, as I 

 conceive it is, the same nightingale sings both by night and by 

 day. Those naturalists have, therefore, made a great mistake, 

 who state, that this bird sings only in the evening, and during 

 the night; it may be beard in tranquil and remote woods, and 

 even verynear London, at Lee, Greenwich-park, Hornsey- 

 wood, &c. during the day; but its song is, or seems, most har- 

 monious in the night. It may be then heard, too, a considerable 

 distance, — a mile, or even perhaps more. 



The curious, in regard to the nightingale, will not be 

 displeased with St. Pierre's account of it. " Dans nos climats 

 leRossignol place son nid a couvert dans un buisson, en choisis- 

 sant de preference les lieux ou il y a des echos, et en observant 

 de l'exposer au soleil du matin. Ces precautions prises, il se 

 place aux environs, contre le tronc dun arbre, et la confondu 

 avec la Couleur de son 6corce, et sans mouvement, il devient 

 invisible. Mais bient&t il anime de son divin ramage l'asyle 

 obscur qu'il s'est choisi, et il efface par l'£clat de son chant, celui 



