THE BLACKCAP. 



SYLVIA ATRICAPILLA. 



EVERY lover of birds, on hearing for the first time 

 the exquisite song of this bird, must have experienced 

 a curiosity to discover the author of it. Arriving 

 in this country about the middle of April, it is in 

 full song about the end of the month, pouring forth 

 strains which are only equalled by those of the 

 Nightingale and Garden Warbler. 



Though its colours are plain and uniform, the 

 black crown of the male (which is brown in the 

 female) and a brisk, lively expression give it an 

 attractive appearance, although, from its shy dis- 

 position, it is oftener heard than seen. It loves 

 the retirement of the woods, and the concealment 

 afforded by thick and tangled undergrowth in 

 unfrequented copses. 



In the neighbourhood of the metropolis it is 



