Talbot : The Birds of Wakefield. 



83 



frequently been told by people who bave been out in the country 

 late in the evening that they had heard the Nightingale ; when 

 I have imitated the notes of the Sedge Warbler, they have at 

 once exclaimed, " Yes, that's it !" Many people are under the 

 impression that the Nightingale is the only bird that sings in 

 the night time, and on hearing the song of the Sedge Warbler, 

 which is but a feeble imitation of that of the Nightingale, they 

 at once jump to the conclusion that they have heard the famous 

 songster. The Sedge Warbler is very abundant in Haw Park, 

 where I have heard it at all hours of the night when I have been 

 out moth collecting. 



Reed Warbler (Salica7ia ariindinacea)— 



Makes its appearance in only a few localities in the neighbour- 

 hood. It occasionally breeds at Methley, Kirkthorp, Walton 

 Hall, and Hemsworth Dam. It is remarkably shy, and of 

 solitary habits, and can rarely be seen except when carefully 

 looked for amongst the reeds. Its nest, which resembles a 

 funnel in shape, is supported by the reeds, to several of which it 

 is interwoven to make it more secure. On measurement I 

 have found its nest as much as thirteen inches in length from 

 top to bottom. • I have not observed the presence of this bird in 

 our district before the 22nd of May. 



Nightingale {PJdlomela luscinia) — 



I first made acquaintance with this bird in 1841. I well 

 remember that in that year Mr. George Hall, of Wakefield, who 

 was then known as " the Nightingale Catcher," had been to 

 Eossington Bridge, and had there caught a Nightingale, and 

 had also brought with him some thousands of Ants with which 

 to feed it, greatly to the annoyance of the neighbours, whose 

 houses they invaded most unceremoniously. Being anxious to 

 hear more about the capture of such a rare bird, I asked many 

 questions of Mr. Hall, who lived near me, and, eventually, he 

 invited me to accompany him the following Saturday, when he 

 intended going from home on the same errand. Until we 

 started out he would not say where he was going, but when he 

 saw I really meant to accompany him he told me that our 

 destination was Burnt Wood, about ten miles from Wakefield. 

 We arrived there at 7 p.m., and shortly after eight o'clock the 

 Nightingale began to sing. I shall never forget hearing the 

 first few notes, and how anxiously 1 watched my companion, who 



