14 THE WARBLER 



which coincides generally with the period of migration. 

 During the season of courtsliij) and brooding these 

 wreath i\\u\ llower-covered houghs resound with light 

 melodies. ;uul lliese joyous marriage songs harmonize 

 s\\e(Mlv with tlie tender green of the j)eas, the delicate 

 blossoms of which resemble a llight of while butter- 

 flies. 



The black cap is the best known warbler and the 

 most gifted as regaids garb and song. When fully 

 grown, its black hood covers the ci'own of its head 

 and falls ovei' its eves; ai'ound tlie n(>ck ihe plumage 

 is slate coloured, gelling lighter towards the clu^sl, it is 

 while on the bicast with a slight shade of black; the 

 back and wings are grevish brown, with a light olive tint. 



The song of the black cap is sweet and sustained. 

 It consists of a series of shoil. bi'isk and clear modu- 

 lations; some rather IoikKm' notes are heaid in the 

 soft, sweet strain, then all is blended again in a soft 

 twittering. It is Irulv the language of the first emotions 

 m spring, at onc(^ livelv and discreet, t is the song of 

 the youth of the vear. When the quick jovous notes 

 of the waibler resound in hazel and cherrytrees, 

 school-boys say : ''^^"inter is passing away." and 

 suddenly playing truants, they wander about in bands, 

 roving about the woods, basking in the sun. seeking 

 for nests and cutting whistles in the willow branches 

 moist with sap. 



