494 



PERCHING BIRDS 



hcii, whose size slightly exceeds that of her mate, the skull-cap is rufous 

 and the general tone of the plumage brown. Young birds are at first 

 coloured like their female parents, but the cocks assume the black cap 

 during their first autumn, though its full depth of tone is somewhat 

 blurred by brownish tips to the feathers. 



Ranging apparently about as far eastward as the Obi valley, the 

 blackcap is to be found during summer throughout the greater part of 

 Europe ; its northern limit in Scandinavia being, as with so many 

 other migrants, about latitude 66\ while in the heart of the Continent 

 it is somewhat lower. Farther to the south the eastern range of the 

 blackcap includes Asia Minor and Persia ; while northern and north- 

 western Africa form the 

 winter-home of this charm- 

 ing songster. In the Ikitish 

 Islands the blackcap makes 

 its appearance late in April 

 or early in Ma}', and is then 

 to be found in greater or less 

 abundance all over England 

 and Wales. In Scotland, 

 however, it becomes gradu- 

 ally rarer as the Tweed is 

 left farther behind, and in 

 the northern counties is only 

 an occasional visitor, although 

 Bi.ACKCAi'. one which at times extends 



its wanderings to the Shet- 

 lands and Orkne)-s. To Ireland it is a somewhat local visitor, seen 

 in most districts, although of late years its numbers have shown a 

 decided increase ; it is remarkable that the occurrence of blackcaps 

 during the winter in Ireland is comparative!}' common. 



To those fortunate individuals capable of recognising the notes of 

 the numerous British songsters the arrival of the blackcap is a welcome 

 event, as its melody is considered to rival that of the nightingale, while 

 it has the advantage of being inore sustained and continuous. The 

 inale blackca[) is, indeed, a most energetic and untiring songster, con- 

 tinuing, it is stated, its melody even when engaged in its share of the 

 work of incubation. Xest-building occupies the attention of each pair 

 immediately on their arrival in England, and hard-set eggs have been 

 found early in Ma}-. Those desirous of encouraging these birds must 

 beware of disturbing their nest, as it takes but little to make them 



