THE NIGHTINGALE. 259

fhe most consummate musician might listen with delight to
its song, whatever might be his peculiar taste, as it can at
one moment thrill the heart with joy and at another melt it
to sober sadness, by the laughing and sighing modulations
which follow each other in rapid succession through the
melody, which is seldom interrupted by a pause. As if
conscious of its unrivalled powers, it does not join the some-
times discordant concert of the other songsters, but waits on
some solitary twig till the blackbird and thrush have uttered
their evening call, till the stock and ring doves have lulled
each other to rest, and then it displays at full its melodious
fancies.” The following is an attempt made by a well-known
naturalist to reduce the song to writing:

“Tiuu tiuu tiuu tiuu—Spe tiuu zqua—Ti0 tid tid tio tio tio
tio tix—Qutio qutio qutio qutio—Zquo zquo zquo zquo—
Tzii izii tzti tzii tai tzii tzii tzii tz tzi—Quorror tiu zqua
pipiquisi—Zozozoz0z0z0z0z0z020z020 zirrhading!” &c. &c.

Quaint old Izaac Walton says: “ But the nightingale, another
of my airy creatures, breathes such sweet, loud music out of
her instrumental throat, that it might make mankind to think
that miracles are not ceased. He that at midnight, when the
very labourer sleeps securely, should hear, as I have very
often, the clear airs, the sweet descents, the natural rising
and falling, the doubling and redoubling of her voice, might
well be lifted above earth, and say, ‘Lord, what music hast
thou provided for the saints in Heaven, when thou affordest
bad men such music on earth!’”

Tho Robin The Robin Redbreast is a prime favourite in

Redbreast. English cottage homes. Its appearance on the
window sill at the approach of winter is an irresistible appeal
to human sympathy and seldom fails of a hearty response.
Captain Brown mentions a robin which, during a severe storm,
came to the window of the room where his father sat, upon
which his father opened the window, to give it some crumbs.
“Instead of flying away, the robin hopped into the room,