Part 28

This Nightingale is met with over the whole continent of Europe, from Sweden to the Mediterranean, and over a large portion of Central Asia, as far north as the middle of Siberia; it also visits North-western Africa in the course of its migrations. Central Europe, Turkey, and Asia Minor possess a very similar species (_Luscinia major_), although, as its name indicates, larger and stronger than that above described, from which it is also distinguished by the shortness of the first wing-quill, and the markings that adorn the breast. Both these vocalists are much alike in their habits and general demeanour, but are readily identified by the peculiarities that characterise their song. Woods, groves, and leafy forests in the immediate vicinity of water afford the favourite retreats of these "most musical, most melancholy" songsters; in such localities they live, each pair within its own especial domain, which, although small, is jealously guarded, and boldly defended from all intrusion. The larger species would seem to prefer low-lying districts, but its more celebrated relative, according to Tschudi, is met with in Switzerland and Spain, at an altitude of from 3,000 to 5,000 feet above the sea, if trees and brushwood be there attainable. Some parts of Southern Europe are especially frequented by these delightful birds; Spain in particular is extremely fortunate in this respect; and in certain districts their enchanting voices are heard from every bush and hedge. The declivities of Sierra Morena may be literally described as an extensive "nightingale garden;" and those who, like ourselves, have been so fortunate as to spend a spring morning on Montserrat, or an evening within the walls of the ruined Alhambra, must own that they have enjoyed a concert of sweet sounds that could not be surpassed. For our own part, as we listened to a hundred thrilling voices combining in the performance of their vesper hymn, we were ready to exclaim, with good old Izaak Walton, "Lord, what psalmody hast thou provided for thy saints in heaven, when thou affordest bad men such music on earth!" The general demeanour of the Nightingale is eminently reserved and dignified, and would appear to indicate that it was fully conscious of the admiration it can command. Even when hopping over the ground, it preserves a certain air of stateliness, as it springs from spot to spot, with body erect and tail upraised, pausing for a moment before every fresh effort. Whilst perching in the trees, also, the tail is elevated, but the wings are allowed to droop. Should the bird desire to pass from one branch to another, it accomplishes its object by one active leap, and rarely condescends to amuse itself by jumping from twig to twig. The flight of the Nightingale is undulatory, but though light and rapid, it is rarely sustained beyond a short distance: that these birds, however, are capable of great exertion whilst on the wing must be evident to all who have witnessed the endeavours of two contending rivals to drive each other from the field.

No sooner have the Nightingales arrived in Europe than their song is to be heard almost incessantly. Some few pour forth their trilling notes throughout the long, bright night; but, for the most part, they only sing during the day, except just at the commencement of the breeding season, when the desire to please and attract their mates renders the male birds excited and restless. The nest of the Nightingale is a mere heap of dry leaves, rushes, and grass, with a lining of horsehair, cotton wool, or any similarly elastic material; occasionally twigs and straw are also employed. Naumann mentions an instance of a Nightingale building on a branch five feet from the ground, and of another that made its preparations for its little family in the centre of a heap of dry leaves that had been thrown down in a garden-shed; these are, however, exceptions to the general rule, their nests being, for the most part, placed in low bushes, upon felled trees, or in holes in the ground. The eggs, from four to six in number, have a delicate, glossy, greenish grey shell. Both parents assist in hatching their young, who are tended with great care, the male keeping a very sharp eye indeed upon his mate, lest she should endeavour to leave her charge in order to take a peep at the outer world, or even to stretch her wearied limbs. Bäszler mentions having been much amused upon one occasion, when he had scared a brooding female from her nest, by the cries of reproof and marital pecks that were forcibly employed by her indignant spouse, in order to drive back his partner to her maternal duties. Worms of various kinds, the larvæ of insects, ants, smooth-skinned caterpillars, and some species of beetles, constitute the principal food of the adult birds, and upon these the nestlings are likewise reared. During the autumn they also consume large quantities of berries. The young remain under the care of their parents until the approach of the moulting season. Almost immediately after leaving the shell the young males commence trying their voices, but give little or no indication of their future capabilities in the notes they utter during the first months of their life. It is not until the following spring that they become possessed of their full powers, at which time they seek a mate, and in her honour begin to pour forth a copious flood of sounds, as sweet and enchanting as those of the older birds. The moulting season commences about July, after which the autumn migrations commence. These journeyings are accomplished in families, or small parties, the birds flying with great rapidity to very distant countries. We ourselves have met with them occasionally in the forests of Southern Nubia and Eastern Soudan, and have observed that they appear to make themselves but little conspicuous during their absence from their native lands. About the middle of April they reappear in Europe, the males coming first, and at once seek their former haunts, announcing their welcome presence, and greeting their old home by joyous strains, that are continued without intermission for hours at a time, and even prolonged far into the night.

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The HEDGE SINGERS, or TREE NIGHTINGALES (_Aëdon_ or _Agrobates_), bear a strong family likeness to the True Nightingales, both in their habits and general appearance. They are met with in Southern Europe, North-western Asia, and Northern Africa. The members of this family are recognisable by their elongated body and comparatively strong beak, the upper mandible of which is very decidedly bent; the third and fourth quills of the long, broad wings are of equal length, the tail much rounded, and the tarsi low. Their plumage is soft, silky, and of a pale reddish brown, lightest upon the under side. The sexes are alike in colour, and the young without any spots upon their feathers. So very similar are all these birds in their mode of life that we shall confine ourselves to a full description of but one species.

THE TREE NIGHTINGALE.

The TREE NIGHTINGALE (_Aëdon galactodes_) is of a reddish grey upon the upper parts of the body, darker upon the top of the head than elsewhere; the nape is greyish, the under side greyish yellow or dirty white, tinted with red on the sides of the neck, and with reddish yellow on the thighs; the cheeks are whitish brown, and a white streak passes over the eyes. The quills and upper wing-covers are brown, the former diversified with a narrow light brown edge, and the latter with a broad border of reddish yellow; the tail-feathers, with the exception of the one in the centre, are of a beautiful rust-red, with a white tip, the latter marked with a round, blackish brown spot; the eye is deep brown, the beak and feet reddish. This species is about seven inches long and eleven broad; the wing measures rather more than three, and the tail three inches.

The Tree Nightingales are found principally on arid spots, but sparsely overgrown with low brushwood, though they by no means avoid cultivated districts or the immediate neighbourhood of man. In Spain, they constantly frequent the vineyards and olive plantations, and in North-eastern Africa take up their abode in the gardens, or close to the huts of the natives, provided that they there find a few of their favourite bushes whereon to perch. We ourselves have never met with them in the primitive forests, or upon lofty mountains, though they often frequent wooded highlands. Such of these birds as inhabit Central Africa are stationary, whilst those occupying Northern Africa and Southern Europe migrate, leaving their more northern habitat about the end of September and returning in April. The males take their departure first, followed in a few days by their mates: arrived at their destination, they soon spread themselves over the face of the country. In their habits they are somewhat peculiar; they always select the very topmost point of a bush, post, or tree, as their ordinary perch, and on it they sit with tail erect, drooping wing, upright body, and legs drawn in, as they pour out their song, or glance sharply around in search of a worm or beetle. Should a prize of this nature be discerned, the bird will instantly dart down, flourishing and spreading its tail, and, after running rapidly for a few paces, seize its prey and return to its observatory, uttering a short call-note denoting extreme satisfaction. Their mode of flight and other movements are almost identical with those of the Nightingale, and like that bird they seek their food principally upon the ground, coming occasionally even into the streets of towns, when hard pressed for the means of subsistence, though at other times they are extremely cautious and timid. Strange to say, such as came under our own notice in Central Africa would permit the dark-coloured natives to approach quite close to them, but took instant alarm at the appearance of a white man. The voice of this species is capable of but very little variety, and will bear no comparison with that of its world-famed relative; yet, in spite of this inferiority, it is ever a favourite, its constant cheerfulness enlivening all that listen to its almost incessant song, which may be heard not only through the whole of the breeding season, but is uttered as the little creature runs, perches, or even flies through the air. The period of incubation commences at the end of May, and lasts for a considerable time. The nest, which is large and roughly formed of twigs, moss, and grass, lined with hair, wool, and feathers, is placed either against the trunk of a tree or on one of the larger branches, or in a thick bush. The eggs have a dirty white or blueish grey shell, marked with pale dark patches and brown spots. We are without particulars regarding the rearing of the nestlings, but have ourselves met with unfledged young as late as September.

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The BLUE-THROATED WARBLERS (_Cyanecula_) are birds with slender bodies, short blunt wings, and high, slender legs. Their long beak is compressed at the nostrils, the upper mandible slightly raised, but sharp-pointed at its extremity. The plumage is lax, and varies in hue with the age or sex of the bird. In the male the upper part of the body is dark brown, the under side dirty white, streaked at the sides with greyish brown. The throat, which is of a magnificent ultramarine blue, is decorated in some instances with a dark star, which spreads and extends downwards like a black streak, separated from a crescent-shaped spot upon the breast by a delicate light line. A band across the eyes is of a whitish, and the bridles of a blackish hue. The quills are brownish grey; the tail-feathers, except in the centre, blackish-brown at their distal half; rust-red towards the roots. The eye is dark brown, the beak black, the feet greenish in front, and yellowish grey behind. In the plumage of the female all the colours are paler than those of her mate. The young are spotted with rust-red on the back, and striped on the under side, their throat being whitish. This bird is six inches long and eight and a half broad; the wing measures two inches and three-quarters, and the tail two inches and a quarter. The various species of Blue-throated Warblers are distinguishable from each other by the somewhat varied coloration of their throats; thus, that of the male SWEDISH BLUE-THROAT (_Cyanecula Suecica_) has a reddish star in its centre, the WHITE-STARRED BLUE-THROAT (_Cyanecula leucocyana_) a white star, whilst the _Cyanecula Wolfii_ is entirely without this decoration.

Of these the _Cyanecula leucocyana_ is the largest, and the _Cyanecula Wolfii_ the smallest species. The females of all closely resemble their mates in appearance.

These birds inhabit the northern portions of the Eastern Hemisphere, and from thence wander forth to visit Central Asia, Egypt, and Nubia, only occasionally venturing as far as Southern Asia or Central Africa. The autumn migration is undertaken in large parties, which fly in a direct line towards their destination, whilst in the spring, on the contrary, the males return first, and steer their aërial course as far as possible in the immediate vicinity of the banks of rivers or any large bodies of water, as in such localities they find an abundant supply of the worms, beetles, and similar fare that afford them their principal means of subsistence. The disposition of the Blue-throats in every way corresponds with their attractive appearance, and their intelligence is by no means inferior to that of the Nightingale. All their movements are characterised by a liveliness that seems to indicate a thorough enjoyment of existence; and their demeanour, as they hop quickly over the ground, with body erect and tail outstretched, evidently denotes a most satisfactory consciousness of their own personal charms. When climbing among, or perching on the branches of a tree or bush, they show to less advantage; and their flight, through rapid, cannot be maintained for any great distance. The sung of the various species differs considerably in quality; that of the Swedish Blue-throat is, perhaps, the least pleasing to the ear, owing to the fact that the various strophes that compose it are each in turn repeated with a frequency that soon becomes wearisome to the hearer, after he has ceased to amuse himself with the strange droning under-tone or accompaniment kept up by the bird during the whole song, which produces the effect of two distinct voices. Amongst the Lapps this species is known as the "Hundred-tongued Warbler," from the great faculty it has for imitating, not only the notes of birds, but a great variety of sounds. Like the Hedge Warblers generally, it is most unwearied in these vocal exertions, which are often continued even whilst the little songster is running upon the ground. The nests built by the Blue-throats are often concealed in bushes, or among the roots of trees, with so much care as to render their discovery a work of difficulty. Holes in the banks of rivers or brooks are also sometimes selected for the reception of the nest; that side of the water, according to Hinz, always being preferred which is most exposed to the rays of the morning or noon-day sun. The nest itself is large, open at the top, and formed of twigs and stalks of plants, lined with delicate blades of grass, and in northern latitudes with wool or hair. The eggs, which are laid in the middle of May, are from six to seven in number, and have delicate light blueish green shells, marked with reddish brown spots, and clouded with brown at the broad end. Both parents assist in the work of incubation, which lasts for about a fortnight. The young are reared upon worms and beetles. They leave the nest before they can fly, and soon learn to run over the surface of the ground with the rapidity of mice. No sooner is the first family fairly started in the world than the parents at once commence preparations for a second brood. When caged, the Blue-throat soon becomes very tame, but unless carefully tended only survives for a short time.

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The RUBY NIGHTINGALES (_Calliope_) are a group of Asiatic birds nearly related to the Blue-throats, and forming, as it were, the connecting link between them and the Hedge Warblers. All have moderately long and powerful beaks, strong, high tarsi, large toes, and medium-sized wings, the first quill of which is unusually short. The tail is short, pointed at the sides, and rounded in the centre of its tip. The plumage is compact and smooth.

THE CALLIOPE OF KAMSCHATKA.

The CALLIOPE OF KAMSCHATKA (_Calliope Camtschatcensis_) is the species of the above group selected for description, as, according to Temminck, it may now also be regarded as an inhabitant of Europe. Upon the upper part of the body the plumage is olive-brown, deepest in shade upon the brow and head; the under side is greenish grey, except the centre of the breast, which is white; the bridles are black, and a streak over the eyes of glossy whiteness; the throat is of a magnificent ruby red, and separated from the breast by a black line, that fades gradually into a brownish grey. In the plumage of the female all the colours are paler than in that of her mate. The young are dark brownish grey, marked with reddish yellow. The length of this species is six inches; the wing measures two inches; and the tail two inches and one-third.

According to Middendorf, these birds frequent the well-watered provinces and marshy districts of North-eastern Asia, from the middle of May till the beginning of October (occasionally, only, till the end of August), when they commence their migrations, journeying through Eastern Siberia, Mongolia, Southern China, and Japan, and reaching India about November. The Calliope usually remains concealed during the day, and only ventures forth after twilight to obtain food, in quest of which it runs about exactly in the manner of the Blue-throats, displaying, however, even greater agility than they are capable of, when making its way through the long grass that abounds in its favourite marshy retreats.

Jerdon speaks of this species as shy, unsociable, and very silent during the greater part of the year; but with this last statement we by no means fully agree. Whilst performing their migrations, the two sexes certainly associate in flocks; and during the spring the notes of the males are to be heard both by day and night. The voice of the Calliope is very sweet, and though by no means loud, very clear. As the breeding season approaches the male commences singing still more energetically, and is usually to be seen perched, with inflated throat, wings outspread, and tail raised at a right angle with his body, on the topmost branch of a birch or alder-tree, whilst he perseveringly endeavours to attract the admiration of his mate who sits beneath, almost entirely concealed from view. The nests of these birds found by Middendorf on the banks of the Taimye were most beautiful works of art, neatly covered with a roof, and approached by a horizontal entrance-gallery excavated in the sand. The nests were found to contain about five blueish green eggs, which were laid in June. In China the Calliope is known as the "Hung-po" (Redbreast), or "Ching-po" (Goldbreast), and is much prized as a domestic favourite by people of all classes: it is constantly kept by the Chinese, not in a cage, but secured to a perch or branch by means of a string tied round the neck. This peculiar and very practical manner of preventing the escape of a bird is, as Swinhoe tells us, very extensively adopted in the Celestial Empire.

THE ROBIN REDBREAST.

The ROBIN REDBREAST (_Erythaca rubecula_ or _Rubecula silvestris_) is the last member of the family to which our space permits us to allude. In this species the upper mandible is arched and incised immediately behind its curved tip. The feet are of moderate height, and delicately formed; the wings, in which the fourth and fifth quills are the longest, are rather short and weak; the tail is of medium size, and slightly incised at its extremity.

The plumage is lax, and of a deep olive-grey upon the upper part of-the body; the under side is grey; the brow, throat, and upper portion of the breast yellowish red. The female is somewhat paler than her mate, and the young are distinguishable by reddish yellow spots on the shafts of the upper feathers; the under side is reddish yellow, with grey spots and light edges to the feathers; the large, expressive eyes are brown, the beak blackish brown, and the feet reddish grey. The length of this bird is five inches and a half, and its breadth eight inches and a half; the wing measures two inches and three-quarters, and the tail two inches and a half.

Europe must certainly be regarded as the home of the Redbreasts; beyond its limits they seldom venture, except during their migrations, when some few travel as far as North-western Africa and the adjacent islands. By far the greater number of those met with in the northern and central countries of our continent usually only journey as far as Southern Europe. This lively, beautiful little bird, with whose sweet twittering voice and social fearless habits we are so familiar, is met with in all woodland districts, and may constantly be seen hopping nimbly about our fields and gardens, or flitting from bush to bush, quite close to our houses, in search of the spiders, worms, snails, and beetles upon which it subsists. In winter, when it is difficult to obtain these means of support, it lives upon various kinds of berries. The nest of the Robin is placed in holes in the ground, in hollow trunks of trees, or similar situations, at no great elevation, and is formed of moss, stalks, and leaves, woven together, and delicately lined with hair, wool, and feathers. Should the margin of the cavity in which the nest is placed not project in such a manner as to form a sheltering cover, a roof is constructed, and an entrance made in the side. The eggs, which are of a yellowish white, marked with reddish yellow spots (see Fig. 33, Coloured Plate XVI.), are from five to seven in number; these are laid about May. The parents brood alternately during a fortnight, they feed the nestlings assiduously with worms and insects, and diligently instruct and tend them for about a week after they are fledged; they are then permitted to go forth into the world on their own account; whilst, if the weather be fine, the old birds at once prepare for a second family. Numberless are the anecdotes that might be quoted to show the kindly disposition of these interesting little favourites, but we must confine ourselves to the mention of two or three exemplifications of their habits.