THE NIGHTINGALE. 
675 
true ring and music of that magic word. Her song flows 
flute-like, in one uninterrupted, clear, and even stream,— 
a melody by itself, inimitable and unequalled, it vies in 
comprehensiveness and intensity with that of the human 
voice, while far surpassing it in fulness and beauty of 
tone. Though ever-changing, it yet remains in character, 
for each variation is but a different expression of one and 
the same thought. 
The bird itself is soon described: it is nearly seven 
inches long by ten in breadth; above, the plumage is of 
a dark russet-gray, and underneath, of a dirty grayish 
white ; the tail is russet-red. Further description is 
unnecessary. It differs from its cousin the Philomel 
Nightingale (Luscinia major ) principally in being smaller, 
and in the absence of the spots on the throat. During the 
summer months it inhabits Central and Southern Europe 
and a large portion of Asia, migrating as far as the 
interior of Africa. It generally comes to us by the 
middle of April, remaining until the middle of August. 
It prefers the plain to the mountain, and the larger to 
the smaller woods. In pine forests it is wholly wanting. 
It is especially fond of forest lowlands intersected with 
rivulets and well furnished with plenty of underwood. 
Each pair occupies a very small area, so much so, that it 
is possible for a person to hear fifty Nightingales singing 
at one time, for if they once take to a locality, they 
frequent it in large numbers. 
The Nightingale is a serious, thoughtful, and proud 
bird, by which attributes it is distinguished from all other 
German songsters. It trusts man so implicitly that it is 
almost sure to fall a victim to his treachery, hence we 
have ample opportunity to watch its habits. It usually 
perches at about the height of a man from the ground, 
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