THE BLACK-CAP. 



109 



gale being the first). If you should hear its alarm-note, 

 Sharr-sharr (a sign he has seen you), it is worth while 

 to rest a few minutes and listen for the song. The bird, 

 hidden amongst the low bushes, will gradually make its 

 way up to some rather bare spray, and there, if not dis- 

 turbed, you will see it throw up its head, elevate its crest, 

 enlarge the throat, and beginning with a few soft notes, 

 gradually increase them till they become loud, joyous, and 



THE BLACK-CAP. 



prolonged, and then suddenly cease ; but the tone through 

 the whole is very sweet. Gilbert White, whose observa- 

 tions on birds are always of great interest, and very truth- 

 ful, says : " The black-cap has, in common, a full, sweet, 

 deep, loud, and wild pipe ; yet that strain is of short con- 

 tinuance, and his motions are desultory ; but when that 

 bird sits calmly and engages in song in earnest, he pours 



