578 



NIGHTINGALE WARBLER. 



placed upon the ground amongst the same mate- 

 rials with which it is composed : the eggs are four 

 or five in number, of a greenish brown : the female 

 alone performs the business of incubation, while 

 the male amuses her with his delightful song; but 

 as soon as the young are hatched he ceases, and 

 assists the female in procuring food : when the 

 young are able to provide for themselves, the fe- 

 male, it is said, provides for a second brood, and 

 the male recommences singing : they will often 

 have three, and in hot countries four broods in 

 the year ; but Colonel Montagu doubts whether 

 they have more than one, at least in this climate, 

 unless the first be destroyed accidentally. 



They are very solitary birds, never uniting into 

 flocks, and residing wholly in close woods and 

 thickets, where they are seldom seen : their food 

 consists principally of small worms, insects, and 

 occasionally a few berries : they are often taken 

 for the sake of their song, and although very shy 

 are easily captured, being taken with snares or 

 twigs of birdlime. Young ones are frequently 

 brought up from the nest, and when well managed 

 will sing all the year round, except during the 

 time of moulting : of the superior melody of the 

 song of these birds it is useless to give an account, 

 as it must be known to all ; it is sufficient to state 

 that it is generally uttered in the still summer's^ 

 night, when all nature is silent. 



There are two or three varieties mentioned; 

 one is much larger, and is said to sing even 

 better ; another entirely white ; and it has been 



