BIRDS. 
155 
black beak, strong 1 and crooked, like a hawk, and 
eyes of a hazel colour : it is a common but handsome 
bird. 
145. In its native state, its tones are harsh and 
discordant ; but when instructed by man, the docile 
bird will accustom itself to fine, mellow notes, so as 
sometimes even to surpass its master. It also learns 
to articulate words and sentences. 
THE NIGHTINGALE. 
146. It is not by the beauty of his plumage that 
this universally admired bird has acquired his fame, 
and become the theme of almost every poet. 
147. On the contrary, he is very humbly attired, 
being on the upper parts of his body of a rusty-brown 
colour, and below of a pale-ash. 
148. But in his song he surpasses all the other 
choristers of the air, his notes being exquisitely va- 
ried, soft and harmonious, and rendered still more 
pleasing by their being poured forth in the night. 
149. In a calm evening, he may be heard to the 
distance of more than half a mile. This bird is very 
common in England. 
What is said of its faculty for acquiring tones ? 
What is the appearance of the Nightingale ? What is said of 
his song ? Where is he common ? 
