BLACKCAP WARBLER. 309 
the quality of his song. White has described the tones of 
this bird as full, deep, sweet, and loud: like most birds 
that are gifted with great powers of voice, the Blackcap is 
an imitator of the notes of several others, and occasionally 
detracts from the character of his more natural song by the 
introduction of variations. The male birds of several spe- 
cies share with their females the task of incubating the 
eggs: this is particularly the case with the male Blackcap, 
so readily known from the female, as before observed, by 
his black head; and so gratified apparently is he when 
performing this part of his duty, as frequently to sing while 
so occupied, sometimes perhaps producing the destruction 
of his hopes. A writer in the Magazine of Natural His- 
tory says, he has several times been led to the discovery of 
a well-concealed nest by the male singing while sitting on 
the eggs. The female while taking her turn on the nest is 
occasionally fed by the male: generally, however, male 
birds neither sit so steady, so long at one time, or feed the 
young so assiduously, as the females. The food of this 
species is berries, insects, and fruit, particularly raspberries 
and red currants. Mr. Blyth mentions having seen the 
Blackeap dart into the air after insects, and catch them 
while on the wing. Bechstein, in his Cage Birds, says, 
‘“‘ A young male which I had put into the hothouse for the 
winter was accustomed to receive from my hand, every 
time I entered, a meal-worm: this took place so regularly, 
that immediately on my arrival, he placed himself near the 
little jar where I kept the meal-worms. If I pretended 
not to notice this signal, he would take flight, and, passing 
close under my nose, immediately resume his post; and 
this he repeated, sometimes even striking me with his wing, 
till I satisfied his wishes and impatience.” And the Black- 
cap in confinement appears, as well from his habits as 
