376 THE BLACKCAP. 



are replaced by black ones, the bird in question is undoubtedly 

 a male. 



Diseases. The Blackcap is subject to the same diseases as 

 the Nightingale, though, in addition, especially liable to be 

 attacked by decline. As soon as the symptoms of this malady 

 appear, the bird should be frequently fed on ants' eggs and 

 meal worms, and a nail be allowed to remain in its water for a 

 considerable period. If suffered to range the room, the Black- 

 cap sometimes loses all its feathers, at other seasons than that 

 of moulting. The best remedy for this, is to put the bird into 

 a cage in a warm place, and feed it with good food. If the 

 feathers do not seem inclined to grow, a lukewarm bath, 

 repeated on two or three successive days, will probably aid 

 their development. For epileptic or paralytic affections, a 

 drop or two of olive oil is often an effectual remedy. I have 

 just cured by this means a bird which a few weeks ago had 

 entirely lost the use of one leg, but is now quite lively, and in 

 full song. 



Mode of Taking. The Blackcap may be caught in July and 

 August in springes, baited with currants ; in September, with 

 elderberries ; and which should be so arranged as not to hurt 

 the bird's feet. It is very suspicious, and even if hungry, will 

 often hover about the bait for half an hour, before it will 

 touch it. The same may be remarked in the case of the water- 

 trap ; however favourite an article of food the bait may be, it 

 will fly away and back again a dozen times, though confident 

 enough if it sees another bird bathing or drinking. The young 

 birds, before the first moulting, are very fearless, and may be 

 caught in considerable numbers. In spring they may be taken, 

 like the Nightingales, in nets and on limed twigs, set on a spot 

 cleared of moss and grass, and baited with meal worms. 



Attractive Qualities. In the villages of the Thuringian 

 forest the Blackcap is a very favourite bird, preferred by some 

 even to the Nightingale. If its song have less volume, and be 

 not so articulate as that of the Nightingale, it is far purer and 

 more flute-like in its tone, more connected, and equally various. 

 In confinement it sings throughout the year and almost all day; 

 in a wild state, of course, only during the summer ; though it 

 may be heard late in the evening, like the Nightingale, and 

 recommences its song before daybreak. The female also, as is 

 the case of the Nightingale, sings a little ; a fact which may 



