420 SYT,VTIDE. 



tried to describe the Blackcap's song, no one has better hit 

 off its characteristic excellence than the incomparable ob- 

 server whose words have just been quoted. The alarm-note 

 of this bird is a loud " tack, tack." 



Like most birds that are gifted with great powers of 

 voice, the Blackcap is said to be an imitator of the notes of 

 others, and occasionally to detract from the quality of its 

 more natural song by the introduction of variations. The 

 males of several species share with their mates the task 

 of incubating the eggs ; and this is particularly remarkable 

 in the case of the cock Blackcap*, which is so readily known 

 from the hen by the colour of his head : but generally male 

 birds do not sit so steadily, so long at one time, or feed the 

 young so assiduously, as the females. In singular contrast 

 to the Blackcap's shyness at other times is the confidence it 

 shews while on its nest ; for the hen will then often allow 

 herself to be approached (and that not secretly but within 

 her full view) so closely as to be almost touched by the hand 

 before she leaves her eggs. The cock, however, is seldom 

 so trustful, and generally makes off when the intruder draws 

 vexy near. The food of this species is insects, berries and 

 fruit, particularly raspberries and red currants, Mr. Blyth 

 mentions his having seen it dart into the air after insects, 

 and catch them while on the wing. 



The Blackcap visits and regularly breeds in all the counties 

 of England and Wales: from the communications Avith 

 which I have been favoured by Mr. Rodd, it appears to have 

 become more common in Cornwall of late years than for- 

 merly, and this is probably the case in several other localities. 

 In Scotland the species is rare, but its nest has been found 

 in many counties, particularly to the south of the Clyde and 

 Forth. Beyond these firths it is recorded as breeding regu- 

 larly in the counties of Argyle, Clackmannan, Perth, Banff 

 and Ross, and it has been procured more than once, and 

 even late in the year, in Caithness, and also in Orkney. 

 In Ireland, though very local, it is said by Thompson to be 



* He has even lieen said to sing while so employed, hut confirmation of such a 

 statement is needed. 



