THE BLACKCAP WARBLER AND THE NIGHTINGALE. 357 



species, they have often been mistaken for each other, and it is only 

 within a comparatively recent period that their diversity was estab- 

 lished. 



With the exception of the nightingale, the Blackcap Warbler is 

 the sweetest and richest of all the British song-birds, and in many 

 points the voice of the Blackcap is even superior to that of the far-famed 

 Philomel. 



The Blackcap derives its name from the tuft of dark feathers Avhich 

 crowns the head, and which in the males is coal black, but in the fe- 

 males deep reddish brown. It is rather late in arriving, seldom being 

 seen or heard until the end of April, and it remains with us until the 

 middle of September. As several specimens of this pretty bird have 

 been noticed in England in the months of December and January, it is 

 probable that some individuals may not migrate at all, but remain in 

 this country throughout the entire winter. Should it do so, it might 

 easily escape notice, as it would not be likely to sing much during the 

 cold months, and, owing to its retiring habits, it is at all times more 

 likely to be heard than seen. 



The food of the Blackcap consists chiefly of insects, but it also pays 

 attention to the ripe fruit in the autumn, being especially fond of rasp- 

 berries. Perhaps it may choose this fruit on account of the little white 

 maggots that are so often found in the centre of the over-ripe rasp- 

 berry. 



The nest of the Blackcap is generally placed only a foot or so above 

 the ground, within the shelter of a dense bush or tuft of rank herbage, 

 and is composed of vegetable fibres and hairs rather loosely put to- 

 gether. The eggs are four or five in number, and are of a pale reddish 

 bTown, dappled with a deeper hue of brown. The general color of the 

 Blackcap is gray, with a wash of dark green upon the upper surface 

 and ashen-gray upon the lower surface. The total length of the bird is 

 not quite six inches, its extent of wings nearly nine inches, and its weight 

 not quite half an ounce. 



The well-known and far-famed Nightingale is, happily for us, an 

 inhabitant of England, visiting us about the middle of April and re- 

 maining until the breeding season is over. 



It seems to be rather a local bird, some parts of England appearing 

 to be quite unsuited to its habits. The northern counties are seldom 

 visited by this bird, and in Ireland and Scotland it is almost unknown. 



The food of the Nightingale consists principally of various insects, 

 and it is so powerfully attracted by the common mealworm that one of 

 these creatures employed as a bait is sure to attract the bird to its de- 

 struction. It appears to make great havoc among the caterpillars, 

 which come out to feed at night, and are to be seen so abundantly 

 on damp warm evenings. In the autumn it is somewhat of a fruit' 



