The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-03-26
THE NIGHTINGALE.


From Hotdens bird Magazine
Very unprctcnding in color and insignia.
cant in size is this bird known rs the king 81
songsters." The whole of the upper part OF tho
bird is a brown, the breast dun white shading
into brown and the throat and pelly pale gray
| the tail reddish brown long and rounded. Tie
| full length OF the bird Is about ca inches lila
is imported from England and Germany. the
larger, part coming from, the latter coun.
Continent Of Europe from Sweden to S" tas
Of Central Asia as far north as The mIdl SC y
Siberia. He also visits northwestern Africa in
| the, course of his ,migrations. Woods, groves,
water. afford the favorte retreats of these most
musical most melancholy songstcrs. In such 10.
cPal domain, which although small. is jealousl,
| guarded and boldly defended from all intrusion
pa b 81 bssa h3f Sr are
| particular is extremely fortunate in this re-.
| spect. and in certain districts their enchanting
The decIivities Of sierra Morcna may be IL.
orally described us an extensive nightingale
| The flight Of the bird is undulatory but
though light and rapid it Is SL rarely SUSTAINED
| on the wing must be evident to any one who
| has witnessed the cndcavors Of two contending
| rivals II love matters to drive each other from
No sooner have the nightingales arrived at
nesting 81 Thin s @SSnt 4s
to be heard almost necessarily. some
| pour forth their trillng notes through
Hm S i%s mock f BIRDS whsie s' during the
moonlight nights OF spring time and cary
daytime, except during the breeding season.
when the desire to please and attract their
mates renders the male birds excited and rest
| less. The nest is built Of leaves, dried grass.
bits of bark, and roots, lined with finer grass
and horSehair loosely put together, and placed
stump Of tree. There are five eggs in nest
and only one nest in II season. unless the eggs
is second iasins The moultng season COM COM
arc in new full plumage, the autumn migra.
tions begin. These JOurneyinEs are accom-.
living with great ,,rapidity to very distant
countries. In April they reappear in Europe.
the males about two weeks in advance Of
the females. and ut once, seek their former
strains.
The nightingale is fond of an abundance Of
hearty food, and likes variety making no OBJ
bill bird, his regular diet should be the pre-
pared f9od-using first a bottle of the moist
should have fresh grated raw carrot mixed with
them ana also one half teaspooIntu , OF ants
be given daily, and IA little lean raw beef scraped
fine. may be added. Meal worms may be bred
as follows: Into a allegation jar put some wheat:
thick brown paper or old shoe leather; throw in
remain for three months. occasionally moisten-
ing the cloth, which is tied over the jar. with
little beer. The worms will by this time have
| other worms with great rapdity. This will be
your reservoir. out of which you shall feed the
bird. When insects cannot be obtained soak
half teaspoonful of the best currants and mix
with the food. There should be an abundance
of gravel furnished the bird. In countries
where the birds care is best understood he is
confined in a cage about Is inches long, 5
inches deep. and ID inches high. The back
may be of wood, and whether the TOP is 81
wood or wire, II should be lined with cloth
SO the bird, in flying up shall not nlule his
head In the mouIting. season watch this bird
and give him stronger food. and carefully eX-
clude all draughts from his corner: spider
or two should be given daily. and little saffron
put in the drinking water If the digestive
organs are not in good order.
The prevailing opinion is that the bird is deli
cate and seldom lives long in IL cage. This
opinion is Just contrary to the facts in the case
Not only does the nightingale live in cage ior
many years but he grows stronger and sings
tic cases Of the birds breeding and rearing It's
young while so confined. When properly cared
for the bird will live fifteen years ard one case
is stated where IL bird lived for twenty five
sale Of these birds has greatly, increased be;
cause lovers of the grandrst and sweetest bird
music have learned how to. SO care for
most charming harmonies He has a nat
ural song, and, like the American mockIns-
bird. is also mimic. His cage may hang by
room. but the more singers there are in tho
same room ior him TO contend with and sur
pass the wider will be his range Of voice; Eacn
country has its nightingale. America has the
red bird called the Cardinal Grosbeak or yir.
gina nishtinsale, - The hedge sinnsers," or
full and very lively nightingale Of China are all
fine songstrrs and whistlers; but the bird
known as the English or German nightingale
SIS to 500 and SOS The bird may Ice found en-
sale in the shops from October to May.