THE BLACKCAP. 49 



The nests of all the species in the genus 

 Sylvia, as compared with those of the finches 

 and linnets, are slovenly and loosely-made 

 structures ; and that of the Blackcap is no 

 exception to the rule. The birds take some 

 pains, however, to conceal it, and both male 

 and female bestow a good deal of trouble upon 

 it. It is generally placed a few feet from the 

 ground, and is composed of dry bents, and 

 lined with horsehair. The eggs, usually five in 

 number, are white clouded with pale brown, 

 and sparsely spotted with black towards the 

 larger end. They closely resemble the eggs of 

 the Garden Warbler, but differ in being smaller, 

 and as a rule of a warmer tint ; the pink or 

 reddish-brown colour with which the eggs of 

 the Blackcap are often suffused is not found in 

 those of its congener. Both sexes take their 

 turn at incubation, relieving one another to 

 feed ; but the male will often feed his partner 

 on the nest, and then sit and sing to her. As 

 to the song, it is simply delightful. I refrain, 

 however, from attempting a description, for two 



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