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NIGHTINGALE. 
PHILOMELA LUSCINIA. 
According to my own oliservations, the range of this favourite songster is decidedly limited over the British 
Islands. I have only met with it in the south-eastern counties, and have been unable to identify a single 
specimen further north than the borders of Norfolk. 
The males of this species make their appearance on the south coast at least a week or ten days in advance 
of the females, the earliest arrivals being usually noticed during the second week in April. The song is then 
continued for a month or six weeks, after which it is heard no more, the bird simply giving notice of its 
presence by a curious croaking note of warning to its young. 
Hundreds are annually taken in traps on their first appearance in the spring, though hut a small number 
of these wretched captives survive for any length of time. One fourth at least, under even the most 
favourable circumstances, or possibly more than half should a delay occur before the newly caught birds 
receive attention, pine away and die during the process of “ meating off Strong, healthy, and early-caught 
birds are meated off in three days ; the majority of those requiring a longer time grow thin, and of these but 
few recover. Dealers state that about four fifths that outlive the first week of their captivity usually break 
out in song in a fortnight, the note being continued in some instances for five or six weeks. A few, I suppose, 
occasionally become thoroughly reconciled to confinement should they happen to fall into the hands of those 
acquainted with their habits and willing to afford the constant care and attention that is necessary. All, 
however, that have come under my observation were such wretched mockeries of the birds in the state in which 
I have been accustomed to watch them as to be positively painful to behold. 
A meal-worm is a bait this species is unable to resist ; and by means of one of these insects impaled on a 
pin in a spring-trap of the very simplest construction, the unfortunate birds are enticed to their doom. The 
quantities captured in the neighbourhood of London, Brighton, and other parts of the south would appear 
incredible to any one who has not watched the proceeding, and noted the ease and rapidity with which almost 
every bird either seen or heard can be secured. There are certain spots, well known to the professionals who 
follow this occupation, where Nightingales are sure to he met with the first fine morning after their arrival. 
Even if the note is not audible (and this seldom occurs) an experienced catcher speedily detects the exact 
positions the birds have taken up. Carefully noting every movement among the branches, their whereabouts 
is at once ascertained when they fly down from the covert or hedgerow to search for a few moments for 
food in the ditch round the wood-side, or a yard or two out in some grass-field. The red feathers in the 
tail attract attention in the bright sunlight at a considerable distance, even if their actions were not 
unmistakable to experienced eyes. A trap having been placed Avithin view of the perch where the bird has 
* Among professional catchers a bird is termed “ meated off” as soon as it will feed itself. Almost any fresh-caught Nightingale will raven- 
ously devour living meal-worms ; but no little care and experience is needed to induce them to take of their own accord the scraped beef, yolk of 
egg, and other preparations with which they are supplied. 
tc^ 
