676 
BIRD-LIFE. 
carrying its wings carelessly, the tail being moved when 
much excited. When on the ground it stands very 
upright, and hops with great springs from the spot. Its 
flight is light and rapid, though in the daytime, when 
left undisturbed, or even when chasing a rival, it rarely 
flies more than a couple of hundred yards. 
Its food, consisting of earth-worms and insects or their 
larvae, is principally sought for on the ground; at all 
events it only occasionally snaps up a caterpillar, beetle, 
or butterfly, from off a leaf or twig. Its favourite 
nourishment is ants’-eggs; and when fruit is ripe it will 
also eat that, besides berries,—such as currants, alder- 
and elder-berries. Water is a necessity, for after every 
hearty meal it immediately goes and drinks. When the 
weather is warm it takes a bath every day. In captivity 
it is fed on a preparation composed of carrots, wheaten 
bread, curds, ants’-eggs, and meal-worms; great care 
must, however, be taken if one would keep the bird any 
length of time. 
As soon as the Nightingales return from their winter 
quarters each pair seeks its old home, defending it in the 
most determined manner against all intruders. Birds of 
the previous year find much difficulty in procuring a 
suitable resting-place; and bachelors have still greater 
obstacles to overcome, for they must fight for a home as 
well as a partner. They will sing almost uninterruptedly, 
both night and day, to seduce a neighbouring hen bird 
from her allegiance. Old pairs begin to build their nest 
soon after their arrival, and sing away more assiduously 
than ever. 
The song of the Nightingale is in every respect the 
very poetry of sound, and must have been personally 
heard and taken to heart if one would form any idea of 
