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BIRD-LIFE,, 
nivea ), counter-poles of one and the same whole ; for the 
first is a type of night in central Europe, and embodies 
in form and colour all ideas associated with the word 
night; the Snowy Owl reminds us of northern nights, 
when the sun never sets, or is, to a certain extent, 
replaced by the aurora borealis. We must also include 
the following among the typical birds of Europe: the 
modest Wren (Troglodytes domesticus ) and the pretty Gold- 
crest (Regulus ignicapillus ); the one an ever-enlivening 
inhabitant of our verdant hedges, and the other, with its 
green dress and fire-coloured head, as the imperishable 
living blossom of the fir trees of our forest. Europe is rich 
in sounds and songs, but very deficient in colour; the 
Nightingale is eminently characteristic of this land. No 
other quarter of the globe can produce a bird which 
surpasses, or is even equal to it; but it lacks the splendid 
colouring of tropical songsters, and the powerful tones of 
the American Thrushes, and yet is endowed with songs 
and notes which only find a true accompaniment in the 
soft rustling of our leafy copses, and a faithful echo in 
the hearts of civilized men. The Nightingale is identified 
with us by every breath, likewise by its ways and 
actions. This bird is, indeed, to be met with in many 
Asiatic countries, and also in North-western Africa ; but 
still Europe is its true home. The Redbreast, the Blue- 
throated Warbler, the Garden Warbler, and Redstart, 
alike bear the impress of our home. This strikes one 
particularly when meeting with them in foreign lands 
during their migration. A clump of fir trees is enlivened 
by the Redbreast, while the Blue-throated Warbler 
infuses true life to the bramble-covered brook, meander¬ 
ing through green meadows: it is our sunset which 
decks the breast of the first, while our blue heaven is 
