Page:Natural History, Birds.djvu/95

82 Sweden, Russia, and even Siberia, yet it does not spread itself over Great Britain. In the south and east of England it is common, from April to September, but does not extend beyond Dorsetshire westward, nor beyond Yorkshire northward. In Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, it is unknown. "Why they should not be found," remarks Montagu, "in all the wooded parts of Devonshire and Cornwall, which appear equally calculated for their residence, both from the mildness of the air and variety of ground, is beyond the naturalist's penetration. The bounds prescribed to all animals, and even plants, is a curious and important fact in the great works of nature. It has been observed that the Nightingale may possibly not be found in any part but where cowslips grow plentifully; certainly, with respect to Devonshire and Cornwall, this coincidence is just."

An attempt made to introduce this admired bird into Scotland, though well conducted, failed of success. Sir John Sinclair, impressed with a notion generally possessed, that the migratory songsters, both old and young, return to their native haunts, season after season, procured as many Nightingales' eggs as he could purchase in Covent Garden market at a shilling each. The eggs being carefully packed in wool, were safely transmitted to Scotland by the mail. Sir John had employed men to discover and watch the nests of several Robins, in places where the eggs might be deposited and hatched in security. The Robins' eggs having been removed, were replaced by those of the Nightingales, which all, in due time, were hatched, and the young brought up by their foster-parents until fully fledged.