

160 BIRD BIOGRAPHIES 



and was lying on the ground underneath. 

 Both the Garden-Warbler and Blackcap 

 are very careless nest builders, and I 

 have often seen their nests falling away 

 from the branches. I fastened this Black- 

 cap's nest up securely, and when I 

 visited it again the male bird was sitting. 

 I have often noticed that in that part of 

 the wood occupied by the Blackcap the 

 Garden- Warbler is absent ; they seem to 

 keep to their respective corners of the 

 wood. Perhaps this is owing to their 

 songs being alike, for some birds, and 

 especially the smaller ones, are desperate 

 rivals. Both songs are very fine, but 

 that of the Blackcap can easily be dis- 

 tinguished as it is continued often for 

 many minutes, while the Garden-Warbler 

 gives out short snatches lasting perhaps 

 ten or fifteen seconds. The actual notes, 

 however, are practically the same. I 

 once had the good fortune to hear the 

 Blackcap and the Nightingale singing in 



