2 
NIGHTINGALE. 
been discoyered singing, or on the spot where it was seen, hut few minutes usually elapse before the 
capture is effected. At times, when dull w'eatlier or a passing cloud renders this shy and wary species 
unwilling to move, a certain amount of judicious driving is resorted to. Some years back, while inspecting 
the proreedings of two w^orthies who were working a couple of traps, I remarked, on one occasion after 
shifting their ground, that a prisoner w^as struggling in each net before they had been placed in position 
above a couple of minutes. Prom a dozen to a score of males is, I believe, considered a good morning’s work by 
the hirdcatching fraternity. In order to insure suecess, a warm, still, sunny morning is indispensable. A 
cold wind not only affects tlie birds, causing them to skulk in the cover, hut also rapidly chills the meal-worms. 
A torpid bait is by no means so effective as a lively writliing insect, wLose contortions are supposed to be the 
most attractive part of the performance. Nightingales invariably resort to the warmest and most sheltered 
side of the wmod or hedgeroAV where they are enabled to enjoy the rays of the sun. 
I have repeatedly remarked that shortly after their arrival, and before the females have made their 
appearance. Nightingales sing almost continuously during the early morning, the note being heard with 
scarcely a moment’s intermission from C till 9 a.m. There are certain districts in the interior of Sussex where 
the country is interspersed with numerous plantations, the large timber mostly consisting of oak, with an 
abundant undergrowth of hazel and ash. The hedgerows are of thorn, and for the most part broad and thick 
and allowed to grow in the old-fashioned style, the very brambles being also, as a rule, untrimmed. Though 
this locality wmuld scarcely find favour in the sight of some of our advanced agriculturists, it attracts an 
immense number of Nightingales. On warm bright mornings towards the end of April I have listened to at 
least half a dozen singing at the same time, the notes being beard on all sides almost incessantly. Shortly after 
the arrival of the females, the numbers seem to decrease, at all events the birds are less frequently seen or 
heard. As it is hardly possible tliat Nightingales could be snared in this district, I conclude that they are fully 
engaged in making preparations for nesting during the early hours of the morning. 
The nest is somewliat rough and unfinished in appearance, dead and skeleton leaves being freely used in 
its construction. It is usually placed at a very small elevation, and at times on the ground, either close 
to the stump of a tree or in some thick prickly hush. 
The young in their first feathers are spotted with pale yello\vish markings, being not altogether unlike 
young Robins. The tint of the tail-feathers, how^ever, is the same as in the adults, though scarcely so 
conspicuous. 
