126 SYLVIAD^. 



able hour, it continues its song until a late period of the 

 season, long after that of the Nightingale has degenerated 

 to a croak. It has been compared to that of the Red- 

 breast, but it is more mellow and flute-like; to that of 

 the Thrush, but it is softer and of more compass ; to that 

 of the Lark, but it is more varied. A practised ear will 

 confound it with neither of these, though, strange to say, 

 many persons who have lived all their lives in the country, 

 and who take much interest in its pleasant sights and 

 sounds, habitually confound it with the song of one or 

 other of these birds, not knowing to whom they are in- 

 debted for one of the principal charms of their gardens. 

 The Blackcap, like several other of the migratory warblers, 

 returns again and again to its old haunts. For six suc- 

 cessive years it has been known to build its nest in a 

 bramble which hung down from a rock in a public garden ; 

 and for even a longer period my own garden has been 

 annually visited by a pair who, from unfailingly resorting 

 to the same bushes, must, I have little doubt, be the same 

 pair, though I cannot say that I have found or even searched 

 for their nest. On its first arrival in April, the Blackcap 

 is in the habit of what bird-fanciers call "recording," 

 that is, practising over its song in a low tone. During this 

 season of rehearsal it does not care to be seen, but hides 

 away in a thick bush. It is nevertheless by no means shy 

 of being heard, as it will allow the listener to approach 

 within a few yards of its hiding-place without stopping 

 its song, and if disturbed will remove to a very little 

 distance and recommence. After a few days it acquires 

 its full powers of voice. 



Its song is now remarkable among the full choir for 

 sweetness, loudness, and long continuance. Its food at 

 this time consists of aphides, caterpillars, and other small 

 insects which infest roses and fruit-trees ; it rarely cap- 

 tures flies on the wing or descends to feed on the ground. 

 In June it begins to sing shorter strains, but with no 



