56 
THE NIGHTINGALE. 
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. It is hardly pos- 
sible to give an idea of the extraordinary power which this 
small bird possesses in its throat, as to extension of sound, 
sweetness of tone, and versatility of notes. Its song is 
composed of several musical passages, each of which does 
not continue more than the third part of a minute ; but 
they are so varied, the passing from one tone to another is 
so fanciful and so rapid, and the melody so sweet and so 
mellow, that the most consummate musician is pleasingly 
led to a deep sense of admiration at hearing it. Sometimes 
joyful and merry, it runs down the diapason with the 
velocity of lightning, touching the treble and the bass nearly 
at the same instant ; at other times, mournful and plaintive, 
the unfortunate Philomela draws heavily her lengthened 
notes, and breathes a delightful melancholy around. These 
have the appearance of sorrowful sighs ; the other modula- 
tions resemble the laughter of the happy. Solitary on the 
twig of a small tree, and cautiously at a certain distance 
from the nest, where the pledges of his love are treasured 
under the fostering breast of his mate, the male fills con- 
stantly the silent woods with his harmonious strains ; and 
during the whole night entertains and repays his female for 
the irksome duties of incubation. For the Nightingale not 
only sings at intervals during the day, but he waits till the 
blackbird and the thrush have uttered their evening call, 
