PLATE I 

 BLACKCAP. Sylvia atricapilla 



May 1897. Hampshire. In the New Forest there are many delightful little 

 openings among the lofty oaks and beeches, where hollies grow, and the slopes 

 are covered with whitethorn and wild-rose bushes overgrown with brambles. 

 In nearly every one of these little spots one is almost sure to come across 

 a Blackcap, and with a little trouble the nest is easily found. One afternoon 

 I had a ramble near Stoneycross with my camera, and saw no less than five 

 Blackcaps' nests. In many places the beauty of the scenery was somewhat 

 marred by the amount of paper, straw, and broken bottles left about by the 

 gypsies and picnic parties, who seem to think that because they are allowed 

 to enjoy the freedom of the woods, they may make as much mess as they 

 like, and wantonly destroy the shrubs and bushes. 



VOL. iv. 2 K 125 



