WARBLERS. 



495 



orchards and woodlands. The male bird upon its first arrival frequently sings in 

 highly exposed situations; indeed, he can hardly do otherwise, since in backward 

 seasons his progeny are hatched before the leaves of many trees have unrolled. 

 The female constructs her nest of dry stems of grass and fibres, lining it with fine 

 roots and hair: the eggs being generally yellowish brown, clouded with a darker 

 colour. The song of the blackcap is rich and well sustained ; and from the rich 

 quality of its notes the bird has been termed the Norfolk nightingale. The black- 

 cap is a most anxious parent, exhibiting lively distress if the safety of the young 



BARRED WARBLER, GARDEN' WARBLER, AND BLACKCAP (J nat Size). 



be menaced. The young feather very rapidly and leave the nest proportionately 

 earlier than do many other birds. In July the song of the blackcap becomes 

 soft and subdued, and the bird then sings in close cover, shunning notoriety. 

 The blackcap is a favourite cage-bird ; we have seen hundreds caged in Paris, and 

 many more in Berne and other continental cities. In the Canaries there occurs a 

 curious variety in which the black of the cap extends over the nape and shoulders 

 as well as round the throat. The typical adult male has the forehead and crown 

 pure black, the upper-parts bluish grey, suffused with olive-brown, the wings 

 and tail brown : while beneath it is bluish grey. The female has the cap of a 

 rusty red : and in captivity sings sweetly, although less powerfully than her mate. 



