THE NIGHTINGALE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20419, 22 November 1929, Page 16

THE NIGHTINGALE.

Sir, —From the description portrayed in this morning's Herald by your correspondent "Epsom Sparrow," I am somewhat. inclined to interpret it as being a starling; most probably a young bird of a few weeks old, whose plumage undergoes a change as maturity progresses. It is a rather difficult proposition to describe or convey verbally the melodious chant of the nightingale. It is a member of the thrush family, with some 600 species distributed throughout the world ; therefore under the circumstances, it might be better not to attempt it. Some 20" years or so ago I was camping out in the vicinity of Fawkham, Kent, about 23 miles from London, and so numerous were the nightingales in a wood nearby that sleep was totally out of the question ; this would bo in the month of July. They sang nearly the whole night through and' I was reluctantly compelled to take my gun and fire it, not at the birds, but in the opposite direction. thinking the sound of the discharge would frighten them; it produced the desired effect for the time being, but within about a-quarter of an hour their nocturnal chants recommenced. The nightingale visits Britain in summer for nesting purposes, and as the colder weather approaches, he, like the proverbial swallow and other migratory birds, flies south to seek warmer climates. I once heard a solitary nightingale giving vent to its beautiful song at the "end of May in the Temple Gardens, right in the heart of London, but 1' think it is not frequently heard. Surrey Capon. November 20, 1929.