The Nightingale. 



257 



among the dense masses of brushwood. The nest is carelessly- 

 built, and badly constructed, of small twigs, oak leaves, root 

 fibre, or grass and straw, the latter being used as a lining; 

 sometimes hair is used. The hen lays from four to six eggs, 

 of a greenish nutmeg-brown colour, which are hatched after 

 fourteen days' incubation. The first brood appears about the 

 middle of May. 



Methods of Oaptuee. — Nightingales are best taken at the 

 beginning of April, as soon as they reach this country. 

 The male birds precede the females by about a fortnight, and 

 these should be secured, for those caught after they become 

 mated rarely do any good, but sulk and repine. They can 

 be taken with the ordinary trap cage, which must be placed 

 near to where they have been observed to sing constantly. 

 Dig up the ground around, so as to attract the bird's atten- 

 tion, and bait the trap with a live mealworm. These birds 

 may also be captured by making a shallow trench, say 2in. 

 in depth, and distributing within it a few mealworms, or 

 ants' eggs, whilst around and about should be placed limed 

 twigs. They are very artless, and are readily caught, pro- 

 vided they have not been previously ensnared and liberated. 

 Other methods can be used, such as the drop net, or horse- 

 hair nooses ; but the trap cage is best, and, next to that, the 

 limed twigs. 



As soon as you succeed in trapping a bird, you should tie 

 its wings with a piece of thread, to prevent it beating itself 

 against the wires of the cage ; but these bonds should be 

 removed as soon as the bird gets familiar with its habitation, 

 and takes to its food kindly. 



Nestlings may be taken by carefully observing where the 

 cock sings, as his mate and young brood are certain to be 

 near. The best plan to adopt in order to find the nest, is 

 to place a few mealworms upon the bushes near the spot 

 where the cock has been observed to sing. You should then 

 lie concealed in some place where you can observe him when 

 he comes for the worms, which he will be sure to carry 

 straight to the nest ; get as near as you can to the bush, or 

 other place where he goes, by crouching, and you will, 

 possibly, hear the chirruping of the young as they are being 

 fed ; you will then have no difficulty in discovering the nest. 

 You must not molest the young if they are not ready for 



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