186 
A DESCRIPTION OF 
An old Latin proverb tells us, that two Robin Red- 
breasts will not feed on the same tree ; it is certain that the 
Redbreast is a most pugnacious bird, and that he does not 
live in much harmony and friendship with those of his 
own kind and sex. The male may be known from the 
female by the colour of his legs, which are blacker. 
THE NIGHTINGALE. (Sylvia luscinia.) 
Sweet bird, that shunn'st the noise of folly, 
Most musical, most melancholy ! 
Thee, chantress, oft, the woods among, 
I woo to hear thy even song. MILTON. 
THE Nightingale has little to boast, if we consider its 
plumage, which is of a pale tawny colour on the head and 
back, dashed with a little shade of olive ; the breast and 
upper part of the belly incline to a greyish tint, and the 
lower part of the belly is almost white ; the exterior web 
of the quill feathers is of a reddish brown ; the tail of a 
dull red ; the legs and feet ash-coloured ; theirides hazel ; 
and the eyes large, bright, and staring. It is hardly pos- 
sible to give an idea of the extraordinary power which 
