NIGHTINGALE. 
490 
inferior to his warble, being on the upper side of 
the body of a brown inclining to rusty ; the throat, 
breast and belly are of a light glossy ash-colour; 
the quill feathers are of a dull reddish brown ; the 
eyes are remarkably large and piercing; the legs 
are brown, and also the feet, but with a shade of 
ilesh-colour. The length of the bird is about six 
inches. 
About the end of August the nightingales migrate 
into other countries, and return to us in April, when 
they almost immediately begin to sing, and con- 
tinue in voice till the end of June. It is singu- 
lar that confined in a cage they sing for nine or ten 
months, while those in a wild state only favour us 
with their notes for as many weeks. In Gascony, 
it is said, they are fatted for the table, and con- 
sidered as most delicious food. 
