THRUSH NIGHTINGALE.

Philomela Turdoides, Blyth.
La Bec-fin Philoméle.

In adopting Mr. Blyth’s specific term for this bird, we have been influenced by the desire of paying a just
compliment to a young and ardent naturalist, who has taken much pains in elucidating the habits of this, as
well as of many other groups in ornithology. “This bird,” says he ‘“ may be said to connect our Common
Nightingale with the,‘Tawny Thrush, or more immediately, perhaps, the Tiny Thrush (JZ. parva). It is
described by Bechstein to have ‘ the whole plumage generally, and in all parts, deeper and darker than the
common species. The head is larger and the beak thicker; the throat white bordered with black; the
breast brown, with darker spots ;? and it is said, also, to be considerably larger, and longer by about an inch
and a half. It is a very loud songster, and sings chiefly by night, but its voice is by no means so melodious as
that of the Common Nightingale. ‘It has,’ continues Bechstein, ‘a much stronger, louder, and deeper voice,
but it sings more slowly and more unconnectedly ; it has not that astonishing variety, those charming protrac-
tions and harmonious conclusions of the Common Nightingale ; it mutilates all its strains, and on this account
its song has been compared to that of the Missel Thrush, to which however it is superior both in softness and
purity. The Common Nightingale is superior in delicacy and variety, but inferior in force and strength,
while the voice of the larger species is so loud, that it is almost impossible to bear with it in a room.’ Its
call-note, &c., as described by the same author, is also very different. ‘In cages,’ observes Bechstein, ‘ they
are fed like Nightingales, but are less delicate, and generally live much longer ;’ which, in fact, is another
approximation to the Thrushes.” And this approximation, we may add, is still further mdicated by the
spots on the breast.

The habitat of the Thrush Nightingale extends over Silesia, Bohemia, Pomerania, Franconia, and other
parts of Germany ; it is said to be more abundant than the common species in Hungary, Austria, and Poland ;
more rare in France, and never seen in Holland. It is generally found in woods situated on the tops of hills,
and also in plains, particularly those in the neighbourhood of running streams.

Like the common species it feeds upon worms, flies, moths, currants, elderberries, &c. ; the nest is also
built in small thickets, but more frequently placed in low and damp situations; the eggs, which are larger
than those of the Nightingale, are brownish olive stained with deep brown.

The sexes do not differ in the colouring of their plumage, which may be thus described :

All the upper surface brown ; tail rich brownish red ; throat whitish; breast clear greyish brown with
dashes of dark grey ; under surface whitish ash; bill brown ; legs brownish flesh-colour.

Our figure is of the natural size.