THE SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40015, 26 October 1929, Page 3

THE SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALE.

HEARD IN AUCKLAND.

Two of the nightingales which were introduced from England and liberated in Auckland nearly two years ago weire heard at Mount Eden on Tuesday evening. ‘Reports show that the birds sang strongly, for about an hour and .were evidently in good health and condition (states the “New Zealand Herald”). Although they were not actually seen, the birds u ere located in the garden of Mr. R., S. Abel, of Pentjand Avenue, Mount jEden. They commenced singing about dusk, and attracted the attention of residents by the ' unfamiliarity of their song. The neighbourhood is heavily wooded, affording ample shelter for tho birds. “I could not be mistaken about the mi,” said Mr. Abel. “1 have never heard the nightingale in New Zealand, although I was very familiar with it as a boy. Fofrtynine years ago wo used to live in Nightingale lane, in Chatham, England, and the nightingales were heard in the neighbourhood regularly every spring. The birds heard in my garden had the same beautiful and characteristic song.” Four nightingales were released in Auckland, and they were the first to be introduced into New Zealand. They were brought from England by Mr. Angus Wilson, and given their -freedom on Christmas Day, 1927, in a native bush reserve in tho Tarnaki district near a small stream, where the undergrowth resembled that of an English wood. Last summer the birds were heard in the vicinity of St. Heliers Pay, but this is the first time they have been observed this spring. As the nightingale is a migratory bird some speculation is aroused as to its 'movements during the past wintei’.

When a Foxton resident visited England some four years ago, lie particularly desired to hear the song of the nightingale. It was in the month of June, summer time. The locality was historic Evesham, not far from (Stratford in the county'of Worcestershire. At that time the broadcasting people were endeavouring to entice the 'birds to sing in the woods per medium of the notes played on the ’cello, but without success. It was a beautiful night and we wandered along and through an avenue of plum trees torwrads Pershore —noted for its plums and apples. We came to the brow of a hill and a little dis-tance-from two wooded areas separated by meadows of some acres in extent. We sat down and waited. Presently we- heard a chirping call'which was answered from the opposite copse and finally we were thrilled and rewarded by hearing the full-throated lint all too short song of the bird. 'The setting, the still night and the song of the nightingale stirred a greater love within us for (he home of our fathers. An American visitor, we were informed, crossed the Atlantic tie for the sole purpose of hearing the nightingale sing.