THE BLACKCAP. 



object of its visit, and to depart. Thus, immedi- 

 ately upon its arrival, we observe it surveying and 

 inspecting places fitting for nidification, and com- 

 mencing a nest ; but so careful and suspicious is it, 

 that several are often abandoned before finished, 

 from some apprehension or caprice : any intrusion 

 is jealously noticed ; and during the whole period 

 of sitting and rearing its young, it is timid and 

 restless. I have observed that both birds will 

 occasionally perform the office of incubation. 



It seems to live entirely by choice on fruits ; and 

 as soon as the brood can remove, it visits our gar- 

 dens, feeding with delight and almost insatiable 

 appetite on the currant and the raspberry ; and so 

 much is it engaged when at this banquet, that it 

 suffers itself to be looked at, and forgets for the 

 moment its usual timidity : but its natural shyness 

 never leaves it entirely ; and though it remains in 

 our gardens or orchards as long as any of its fa- 

 vourite fruits continue, it avoids observation as 

 much as possible, and hides itself in the foliage 

 from all familiarity or confidence. This exceed- 

 ing dislike of man is very extraordinary. Larger 

 or more important birds might have an instinctive 

 fear of violence, but this creature is too small and 

 insignificant to have ever experienced or to appre- 

 hend injuries from him. It may arise from a long 

 residence in wilds and solitary places, seldom visited 

 by human beings during those eight or nine months 

 when it is absent from us, so that man becomes an 

 unknown creature, and injury is suspected. Our 



Q 2 



