228 Birds. 
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 Redbreast attends the gardener when digging his 
borders ; and will, with great familiarity and tameness, 
pick out the worms almost close to his spade. 
THE NIGHTINGALE. (Philomela 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 of in respect to 
plumage, which is of a pale tawny colour on the head 
and back, dashed with a slight shade of olive ; the breast 
and upper part of the belly incline to a grayish 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 ; the irides 
hazel ; and the eyes large, bright, and staring. But it is 
hardly possible to give an idea of the extraordinary power 
which this small bird possesses in its throat, as to the ex- 
tension of sound, sweetness of tone, and versatility of notes. 
