THE BLACKCAP. 



Sylvia Atricapilla PENXANT. 

 Motacilla ,, BEWICK. 



ROBABLY no familiar wild 

 bird is more widely distributed 

 than the Blackcap. Not only 

 is it found in all the temperate 

 parts of Europe, but also in the 

 more inclement climates of Nor- 

 way and Lapland ; whilst in such 

 remote regions as Java, Japan, 

 and the Cape of Good Hope it 

 appears to be equally well known. 

 In our own country the Blackcap 

 seems to have a partiality for 

 localities lying between Norfolk 

 and Suffolk and Derbyshire and 

 Wales, and ' along the south 

 coast from Sussex to the Land's 

 End. 



The Blackcap derives its name 

 from the black hood, or cap, which 

 covers the top of the head of 

 the male bird, the cap in the 

 female being usually of a choco- 

 late-brown colour. The cheeks 

 and nape of the neck are grey^ 

 the back and wing-coverts ash 



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