18 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



grey shaded with brown, the pinions and tail dark brown 

 edged with grey, and the breast, throat, and belly light 

 grey. The female is a trifle larger than her mate, and 

 her plumage slightly tinged with brown, whilst the young 

 birds do not assume the distinctive markings of their 

 parents until after the first moult, which takes place about 

 the end of July. The average length of the adult bird 

 is about six inches. When the young birds are fully 

 fledged they closely resemble the adult female ; the 

 plumage on the top of the head is, however, a greyish- 

 brown. 



The song of the Blackcap is extremely sweet, the notes 

 being full, varied, and of surpassing richness. This 

 charming songster is commonly known as the " mock 

 nightingale/' probably from its custom of singing at night. 

 Whilst singing, the throat is considerably distended, but 

 it is not easy to obtain a close view, as the approach of an 

 intruder is invariably resented, and the song suddenly 

 concluded. Thick woods, copses, hedgerows, plantations, 

 and orchards are the favourite haunts of this interesting 

 bird, and in such spots the quiet wanderer may observe it 

 actively searching for food, and ceaselessly flitting from 

 branch to branch. It is, however, very shy and timid in 

 its habits, and when disturbed, rapidly seeks the denser 

 portions of its woody retreat. 



The food of the Blackcap principally consists of insects, 

 caterpillars, and the berries of the ivy and elder, while 

 strawberries, raspberries, currants, and green figs would 

 seem to be especially palatable. Its partiality for elder 

 and ivy berries is so strong that it may frequently be 

 noticed picking them from the stalks whilst supporting 

 itself in the air by fluttering its wings. 



