( 49 ) 

 'The Nightingale, 



Numb. LIU. 



NOtwithftandlng the particular Fancy of divers Perfons, for this or that Bird, 

 which they efteem and prefer to all others, the Nightmgale, by the generality of 

 Mankind, is ftill accounted the chief of all fingiwg Birds ; he fends forth his plea- 

 fant Notes with fo lavifli a Freedom, that he makes even the Woods to eccho with 

 his melodious Voice ; and this delightful Bird, fcorning to be outdone, will not yield 

 to any Competitor, either of Birds or Men; the Wood-Lark is his greateft Antagonift, 

 between whom there fometimes happens fuch a Contention for Maftery, each 

 ftriving to outvy the other, that like true bred Cocks, they feem refolved to dye 

 rather than lofe the Vidlory ; if the former carries it in Stoutnefs and Freenefs of 

 Song, fo does the latter in his pleafing Variety of foft warbling harmonious Notes, 

 in which to my Fancy, none excels, or is equal to him. 



The Nightingale is not fo remarkable for any variety or beauty of Colours, but 

 well known for its finging by Night: In Size it is about the bignefs of the Goldfinch^ 

 fomething longer bodied, the Head, Back, Wings and Tail are of a reddifh brown 

 Colour; the Breaft and Belly paler, inclining to a dirty white, the Legs of a yellowiih 

 flefh Colour ; they build in a thick Hedge low to the Bank, making their Neft of 

 Leaves, Straw, and Mofs, and lay five Eggs. 



Thofe Birds are not feen in this Kingdom in the Winter time, where they are, 

 when abfent from us, is altogether unknown : They come towards the latter end of 

 March and beginning of April, and leave us at the latter end of Summer. Thofe 

 kept in Cages will fing feven or eight Months in the Year, from the beginning of No- 

 vember till Midfummer ; keeping them clean : Their Food is Sheeps Hearts and boiled 

 Eggs, and now and then a Meal Worm, or Spider. 



H « The 



