206 THE BLACKCAP WARBLER. 



From the willow Warbler, the Wood Warbler Is distinguished by the green hue of the 

 upper part of the body, the pure white of the iiuder surface, and the light yellow streak over 

 the eye. There are also other distinctions which are of no very great importance, as the 

 difference between the two species, which are in other respects very similar, is readily decided 

 by the above-mentioned characteristics. 



This bird is rather late in arriving in the north, seldom making its appearance before the 

 end of April, and towards the more northern parts of Europe being a week or ten days later. 

 It remains vdth us until September, when it takes its departure for a warmer clime. Imme- 

 diately on its arrival it commences its lively, though not much varied song, and perching upon 

 a branch j^ours forth the trilling notes in rajjid succession and with the greatest earnestness. 

 Three or four of these birds will often sing against each other, their throats vibrating, their 

 wings shivering, and their whole bodies panting with eager rivalry. The song of the Wood 

 Warbler resembles the word "twee-ee" very much lengthened, and as it closes its song, it 

 changes the last note into a peculiar hissing or whistling sound, drooping its wings at the 

 same time and agitating them in accordance with its notes. Sometimes the bird utters its 

 trilling notes while flying from one tree to another. 



The Wood Warbler is elegant in shape, being light and active and possessed of much 

 command of wing, a qualification which is necessary for the procuring of its food. This bird 

 does not feed on fruits or berries, but restricts itself to insects, especially when they are in the 

 caterpillar state. The leaf -rolling caterpillars are its principal food, and of these insatiable 

 devourers it destroys vast quantities before they can do much harm. In obtaining tliem it 

 flits round the trees, and is able to snap up the caterpillars as they hang by the slender thread 

 to which they always attach themselves when alarmed. Sometimes the Wood Warbler chases 

 the insects on the wing, and in this manner destroys great numbers of the green oak moth 

 that have escaped from its beak while they were in the caterpillar condition. 



The nest of this species is i^laced on the ground under the shelter of thick herbage or an 

 overhanging bush, and a domed structure comjiosed principally of long dried grass, leaves, 

 fibres, and moss. The entrance is by a hole at the side, and the interior is lined with hair 

 and fine fibres, feathers not ajipearing to be employed for this purpose. The number of eggs 

 is from four to six, and their color is grayish-white, profusely sprinkled ^vith dark red and 

 ash -colored spots, gathered most thickly into a belt round the larger end. The general color 

 of this species is soft green-gray on the upper parts of the body, and pure white below, the 

 latter characteristics having earned for the bird tlie local name of " linty- white." A streak of 

 bright yellow passes over the eyes, and reaches as far as the chin and the sides of the neck. 

 In total length the Wood Warbler rather exceeds five inches. 



-'o"- 



WiTH the exception of the nightingale, the Blackcap Warbler is the sweetest and richest 

 of all the Euroj)ean song-birds, and in many points the voice of the Blackcap is even superior 

 to that of the far-famed Philomel. 



The Blackcap derives its name from the tuft of dark feathers which crown the head, and 

 which in the males are coal-black, but in the females are deep reddish-brown. It is rather late 

 in arriving, seldom being seen or heard until the end of April, and it remains in the north 

 until the middle of September. As several si^ecimens of this pretty bird have been noticed in 

 the far north of Europe in the months of December and January, it is probable that some 

 individuals may not migrate at all, but remain in the country throughout the entire winter. 

 Should it do so, it might easily escape notice, as it would not be likely to sing much during 

 the cold months, and owing to its retiring habits it is at all times more likely to be heard 

 than seen. 



While singing, the Blackcap chooses some spot where it can conceal itself if alarmed, and 

 there pours forth his melodious notes in security. Sometimes lie will sing while pei'ched 

 upon an open branch, but he is very jealous of spectators, and if he fancies himself visible, 

 immediately drops among the foliage, and is lost to sight. The song of this bii-d is well 

 described by Mr. Mudie in the following words : — 



"Its song is generally given from a high perch or an elevated branch, on the top twig 



