164



H. Hampe—Nightingales



did not interfere with other birds, but they are solitary even in the

wild state, for which reason they never become as attached to their

attendant as a Parrot does ; they are not afraid, but take no pleasure in

his company. They prefer to be left alone and are only interested

in their keeper if he brings them a mealworm.


When Nightingales are excited they slowly move their tails up

and down ; once I saw one take up a threatening attitude against

another bird. It spread its tail and wings and pulled out its feathers

like an Owl.


Hand-reared Nightingales sing very little, as the song has to be

learnt, and they have no teacher, consequently their only distinctive

utterances are the alarm and call-notes, and the sississississi with

which a wild Nightingale begins his song.


Newly hatched Nightingales are naked, save for a few thin patches

of down on head and back. Their immature plumage is speckled,

but a moult of the body feathers takes place at three months old when

they assume adult colouring. A full moult takes place every year

after nesting.


Captured Nightingales often fall into premature moult and leave

off: singing if they are suddenly given too many live ants’ eggs in spring;

they should be very gradually brought on to this excellent food and

it is as well always to give their usual mixture with it, so that when

the supply of live ants’ eggs fails in the autumn there will be no difficulty

in getting the birds to return to the mixture, but as long as live ants’

eggs are obtainable the Nightingale should have its share, the reward

will be more lively song and improved health.


The chief difficulty with Nightingales lies in keeping them in proper

condition. They put on fat in autumn and are apt to lose it too quickly

the following spring ; both states have to be guarded against by careful

feeding, but should a Nightingale become too fat it must not on any

account be rapidly reduced, for it is only too easy to induce “ wasting ”,

which will increase until the bird dies from weakness. It is not easy

to keep a Nightingale in perfect health and song year in year out,

and a novice should not attempt it; let him gather his experience

on an “ easy ” bird, such as a Robin or a Blackcap, before he risks the

life of a Nightingale.



