THE BLACKCAP. 377 



have given rise to the idea, that it was a separate species. Its 

 call is a sharp Tak ! repeated several times : and when sur- 

 prised or afraid, it also utters a loud unpleasant cry, like that 

 of a hurt cat. 



SWEET'S ACCOUNT. " One of the finest songsters that visits 

 the British islands, the Nightingale excepted. It generally 

 visits us at the end of March or the beginning of April: the 

 earliest that I ever observed, was the 25th of March; the same 

 day I saw, for the first time this season, a Redstart, a Swallow, 

 and a Snake. I have sometimes known a solitary male bird of 

 this species arrive, and sing every day for a fortnight, before 

 any other was to be seen ; I have also seen one as late as the 15th 

 of 'October. 



" The song of the Blackcap is very loud and agreeable, and it 

 has a great variety of notes ; it is also a real mock-bird, and will 

 catch the note of any bird that it chances to hear sing. I have 

 heard it imitate the Nightingale so exactly, that it has deceived 

 me ; also the Blackbird, Thrush, and the Greater Pettichaps, all 

 of which it imitates so much in its voice, that it is almost im- 

 possible .to detect it, except when it runs from one into the other, 

 or shows itself on the open part of a tree. 



" In a wild state, this species feeds chiefly on fruit and berries 

 of various sorts ; it is also very fond of many sorts of insects, 

 such as caterpillars, butterflies, spiders, &c. It is not very 

 difficult to take, in a trap baited with a cherry, or living butterfly, 

 or a green caterpillar ; it will soon become familiar in confine- 

 ment, and will readily take to feed on the bruised hemp seed and 

 bread, if some currants, raspberries, or other small fruit, be stuck 

 in it. To have it always in perfect health, it is requisite that 

 some kind of fruit, or berries, be always kept in its cage ; any 

 sort of fruit, or berry, that is eatable, or wholesome, may be 

 given it in the winter, privet-berries, and slices of a mellow apple, 

 or pear, or a roasted apple; also a few flies, or spiders, oc- 

 casionally. 



" In confinement, this bird will sing the greater part of the year, 

 and will soon take to sing after being caught ; I have known one 

 caught in April, to begin singing the next morning ; but it was 

 hung near some other birds. This was the first species of the 

 genus that I attempted to keep through the winter ; and I was 

 several seasons before I could manage it well ; but as soon as I 

 found out that it would feed on the bruised hemp seed and bread, 

 iny difficulty was at an end ; and I had no doubt but all the other 

 species would feed on the same sort of food ; this proves to be 

 correct, as far as I have had an opportunity of deciding . 



" The female of this species sings in confinement, but its note is 



