202 On the Occurrence of some of the Rarer Species of Birds 



as being a hopeless ease, without insisting on that mellowness, 

 variety, and plaintiveness of note, which no other feathered songster 

 can rival. The birds vary much in the power and quality of their 

 song ; but the notes of a nightingale, however inferior they may 

 comparatively be, can scarcely be equalled by any other bird. I 

 need scarcely remind my readers that during the May month, and 

 in the early days of June, it sings all the day long, as well as 

 through the night — especially during the courting time, and before 

 the young are hatched — only at night its notes seem to be much 

 clearer and richer, from the stillness in which all surrounding Nature 

 is then wrapped. 



Curruca Atricapilla. "The Black Cap." In our own district 

 not nearly so numerous as the last species, but to be found scattered 

 in likely places over the whole district. There are several places in 

 the parish where I can always put my hand upon its nest, built in 

 some favourite bramble-bush, a few feet from the ground. This bird 

 has a most beautifully soft full eye, which peers at you confidingly 

 from its nest, which it will not leave until you almost touch it. 

 The Black Cap is but little inferior in song to the Nightingale 

 itself, its note being very full and powerful for its size, and also of 

 greatly variegated modulation. I found a nest last year with three 

 of the usually brown marbled eggs, and one of a dull white, which, 

 if not seen with the others, could never have been detected as being 

 a Black Cap's. This, I believe, is not uncommon in the species. 



Curruca Hortensis. " The Garden Warbler. A pretty little soft 

 brown bird of a fine song, and scattered like the former species in 

 places suited to its habits. Not very numerous anywhere. I found 

 a nest of this bird in the same little plantation as the Black Cap's, 

 last summer, the eggs being very similar to that bird's as well as 

 the nest. This little bird puts you something in mind of a small 

 Robin, who has left his red waistcoat off by mistake. 



Curruca cinerea. "Common Whitethroat." Quite common in 

 all our hedges and brakes, flitting from bush to bush in front of 

 you, or rising suddenly in the air, flitting about in a vague uncertain 

 manner, singing as it goes, and then diving into cover out of sight. 

 Well known to all. 



