328 SYLVIAD^J. 



an imitator of the notes of several others, and occasionally 

 detracts from the character of his more natural song by the 

 introduction of variations. The male birds of several spe- 

 cies share with their females the task of incubating the 

 eggs : this is particularly the case with the male Blackcap, 

 so readily known from the female, as before observed, by 

 his black head ; and so gratified apparently is he when 

 performing this part of his duty, as frequently to sing while 

 so occupied, sometimes, perhaps, producing the destruction 

 of his hopes. A writer in the Magazine of Natural His- 

 tory says, he has several times been led to the discovery of 

 a well-concealed nest by the male singing while sitting on 

 the eggs. The female while taking her turn on the nest is 

 occasionally fed by the male : generally, however, male 

 birds neither sit so steady, so long at one time, or feed the 

 young so assiduously, as the females. The food of this 

 species is berries, insects, and fruit, particularly raspberries 

 and red currants. Mr. Blyth mentions having seen the 

 Blackcap dart into the air after insects, and catch them 

 while on the wing. Bechstein, in his Cage Birds, says, 

 " A young male which I had put into a hot-house for the 

 winter was accustomed to receive from my hand, every 

 time I entered, a meal-worm : this took place so regularly, 

 that immediately on my arrival, he placed himself near the 

 little jar where I kept the meal-worms. If I pretended 

 not to notice this signal, he would take flight, and, passing 

 close under my nose, immediately resume his post ; and 

 this he repeated, sometimes even striking me with his wing, 

 till I satisfied his wishes and impatience." And the Black- 

 cap in confinement appears, as well from his habits as 

 from his fine song, to have been a great favourite with the 

 late Mr. Sweet. 



The Blackcap visits all the counties along the southern 

 coast of England from Sussex to the Land's End ; but, 



