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.
* * * * *
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.
[Illustration: THE SWEDISH BLUE-THROAT (_Cyanecula Suecica_).]
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.
* * * * *
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.