[ m 3 
few indeed j becaufe the plumage is dull, nor is 
there any thing peculiar in its make. 
The nightingale fings perhaps for two months *, 
and then is never heard again till the return of the 
fpring, when it is fuppofed to migrate to us from the 
continent, with redftarts, and feveral other birds. 
That it cannot really do fo, feems highly probable, 
from the following reafons. 
This bird is fcarcely ever feen to fly above twenty 
yards, but creeps at the bottom of the hedges, in 
fearch of maggots, and other infe&s, which are found 
in the ground. 
If the fwallow is not fupplied with any food 
during its paflage acrofs oceans, much lefs can the 
nightingale be fo accommodated ; and I have great 
reafon to believe, from the death of birds in a cage, 
which have had nothing to eat for twenty-four 
hours, that thefe delicate and tender animals can- 
not fupport a longer faft, though ufing no exercife 
at all; 
To this I may alfo add, that thofe birds which feed 
on infedts are vaftly more feeble than thofe whofe bills 
can crack- feed, and confequently, lefs capable of 
bearing any extraordinary hardfhips or fatigue. 
But other proofs are not wanting, that this bird* 
cannot migrate from England. 
* Whillt it fings even, the bird can feldom be diftinguifhed, . 
bccaufe it is then almoft perpetually in hedges, when the foliage 
is thickeff, upon the firft burft of the fpring, and when no in- 
fedis can as yet have deftroyed confiderahle parts of the leaves. 
Nightm 
