NIGHTINGALE. 
17 
It is found in most parts of the county and Isle of 
Wight, and is very plentiful in many localities, particularly 
in the hedgerows and coppices of the Central Hill district. 
In the New Forest it is chiefly found in the manors and 
not in the old woods. 
Mr. F. G. Aflalo, in his work on British Vertebrates, 
remarks upon the absence of nightingales in the immediate 
neighbourhood of Bournemouth, and thinks that their 
preference for Christchurch and Parkstone may be due to 
the presence of " retreating waters and muddy banks," 
which possibly furnish them with some favourite food ; but 
he notes that Sir Herbert Maxwell and Mr. Harting do 
not admit this explanation. 
Mr. Poole remarks that in the Isle of Wight it is not 
found on the Landslip, but is common among the stunted 
growth by the edge of the sea in Whitecliff Bay, and 
Dr. Cowper^ says that a few years ago they used to frequent 
Shanklin Chine, but of late years have completely deserted it. 
Miss Charlotte Yonge told Kelsall that Bishop Wilber- 
force described the song as follows : " My heart is broke, 
broke, broke ; I'm awfully jolly, jolly, jolly." 
Gilbert White 2 has remarked on the curious notes of 
this bird, which are not noticed by most people, who know 
only of its song: "Nightingales, when their young first 
come abroad, and are helpless, make a plaintive and a 
jarring noise, and also a snapping or cracking, pursuing 
people along the hedges as they walk ; these last sounds 
seem intended for menace and defiance.'' 
They arrive usually about the middle of April and 
depart in September, the young leaving some time before 
the old birds. 
" Hants Court Guide." 1897. 
* Letter xl. to Pennant. Selborne. September 2nd, 1774. 
