THE BLACKCAP. 127 



diminislied power. It may then be observed flying from 

 brancli to branch of an apple-tree, resting for a few seconds 

 only in the same spot, and busily occupied in collect- 

 ing grubs or aphides, then indulging in a short strain. 

 In July, when the raspberries ripen, the Blackcap becomes 

 chary of its song, and introduces its young brood to the 

 choicest and juiciest fruit ; in their attentions to which 

 both old and young birds are exceedingly pertinacious, 

 holding scarecrows in extreme contempt, and heeding 

 clapping of hands or the discharge of a gun as little. 

 The young of the first year resemble the adult female in 

 having a chocolate-coloured crown. The song of the 

 Blackcap may be heard occasionally late in the summer ; 

 in September or October both old and young take their 

 departure, and the Eedbreast is left without a rival to 

 assert his superiority as a warbler, until the return of 

 spring. The nest is usually placed in a hedge or low 

 bush, a few feet from the ground, and is constructed of 

 bents, and lined with fibrous roots and hair. The male 

 bird assists the female in performing the office of incu- 

 bation, and is said to relieve the monotony of his occu- 

 pation by singing, thus often betraying a well-concealed 

 nest. 



THE OEPHEAN WAEBLEE. 



CURRUCA ORPHEA. 



Head dusky; upper parts dark, tinged with ash-grey; mngs dusky, edged with 

 asli-brown ; outer tail-feather on each side white, except the extremity of the 

 inner web, which is ash, and the quill, which is black, the other feathers of 

 the tail dusky, with white tips ; under parts white, tinged at the sides with 

 rose ; lower tail-coverts rust colour. The female has no black on the head, 

 and the other colours are less decided. Length six inches and a half. Eggs 

 nearly white, spotted with yellow and brown. 



Very abundant in Italy, especially in Piedmont and 

 Lombardy ; equally common in some of the southern 

 departments of France ; occasionally met with in Switzer- 

 land. A single specimen only has been shot in England. 



