Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Nightingale

A nightingale was put in a golden cage—“Oh for my home,” she said.Turkish.

A nightingale won’t sing in a cage.

Everybody thinks his own cuckoo sings better than another’s nightingale.German.

He esteems the crow and nightingale alike.Turkish.

It is better to hear the nightingale sing than the mouse gnaw.Italian.

Nightingales can sing their own songs best.

The nightingale and the cuckoo sing both in one month.

When the crow sings the nightingale takes wing.Modern Greek.

When the nightingale sings no more she’s an ugly brown bird.

Who cries like a raven when young, does not sing like a nightingale when old.German.