Variety oj the Sylvia atricapilla. 75 



I suspect, also had their influence in obscuring the species, and if it 

 were not too adventurous, I would almost doubt, either their accuracy, 

 or that of the habitat given by Edwards and Brisson ; for it is highly im- 

 probable that the Canary should have existed so long as a native of India 

 without being recognized. Of course, any person having access to the 

 identical birds figured or described by these writers, or possessing a spe- 

 cimen of the Chloris indica, actually found in India, can easily set this 

 question at rest : it being clearly understood that I only pretend to iden- 

 tify our bird with Linnseus's description, declining all responsibility re- 

 specting either the individual from which it was taken, or the sjTionyms 

 to which it is referred ; and that nothing short of a direct comparison 

 between his specimen and my description, will satisfy me of their being 

 distinct species. 



We have a male variety of the Sylvia atricapilla. Lath. (Black-cap : 

 Tinto negro*) which I have never met with before, or seen described. 

 It is called " Tinto negro de capello''^ (Black-cap, with a hood or cowl), 

 is a somewhat larger, and coarser bird than the common one ; its gene- 

 ral plumage more sombre and olivaceous ; and the black, instead of be- 

 ing confined to the head, extends as low as the shoulders behind, and 

 loses itself gradually on the breast before (see Fig. 2). In habit, oeco- 

 nomy, and song, it is precisely similar. Satisfied with the universal opi- 

 nion, that it was merely a variety, I took no trouble to prove the fact, 

 but as a friend visiting here last winter seemed much inclined to doubt it, 

 I have taken some pains to investigate the matter, and the following are 

 the results. 



It is rare, for although the ordinary one is as common in our gardens 

 (even in the midst of the town) as the hedge-sparrow in those of Eng- 



* Bowdich, under the name of " Intinegro," (" Tontinegra," from " Ton- 

 " 1190," occiput, and " negro" black, is the original name,) calls this (our com- 

 mon one, not the variety) " a new species of nightingale ;" but whoever reads 

 his description will perceive that he is describing, as far as he goes, the Mat. 

 and Sylv. Atricapilla of authors. To set the matter at rest, however, without 

 waste of words, my sketch (1) of our common ^ T. negro, is copied from 

 Bewick's figure of that found in England. It is by no means one of his hap- 

 piest efforts, but will answer the purpose of identifying the two birds. 



