Night'in-gale, n.

(nīt'in-gāl, 45), n. O. Eng. night-gale, A.-S. nihtegale, fr. A.-S. niht, night, and galan, to sing, gale, songster; O. Sax. nahtigala, O. H. Ger. nahtigala, nahtegala, M. H. Ger. nahtegale, nahtegali, N. H. Ger. nachtigall, D. nachtegaal, Sw. nattergal, Dan. nattergal. (Ornith.) A small bird that sings at night; the Luscinia philomela (Motacilla luscinia of Linnæus); philomel. It is celebrated for its vocal powers.

But the nightingale, another of my airy creatures, breathes such sweet, loud music out of her little instrumental throat, that it might make mankind to think that miracles are not ceased. He that at midnight, when the very laborer sleeps securely, should hear, as I have very often, the clear airs, the sweet descants, the natural rising and falling, the doubling and redoubling of her voice, might well be lifted up above the earth, and say, Lord, what music hast thou provided for the saints in heaven, when thou affordest bad men such music on earth! Izaak Walton.