52 Birds I Have Kept. 



frequently tried to get these birds to breed in an aviary, but 

 have not succeeded, though one pair which was in my pos- 

 session for a considerable time, appeared to be in as good feather 

 and condition as if they had enjoyed fuU liberty in the ad- 

 joining wood. 



I have heard one of these birds, belonging to an acquaint- 

 ance, whistle the air of the patriotic song, " Mourir pour la 

 patrie, etc.," right through; while another, owned by the same 

 lady, had learned to repeat a few words: "eher petit" , and 

 some others which I now forget: accomplishments to which 

 I have never heard of a Nightingale attaining. 



The Blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla, or Motacilla atricapilla of 

 scientific writers, la Fauvette of the Prench, and die schwarz- 

 hdpfige Grasmiiehe of the Germans, is a small bird, about five 

 and a half inches in length, of which the tail measures more 

 than two: the brownish blue beak is five lines long, with 

 the edges of the lower mandible and the interior yellowish 

 white; the eye is reddish brown, and the feet and legs slate- 

 colour. The top of the head is a beautiful velvety black, the 

 cheeks and neck are a pale ash hue, and the upper parts of 

 the body, and the wing coverts olive grey; the under parts 

 are light grey, changing to white on the breast and beUy: 

 the under wing and tail coverts are white, and the flight 

 feathers and tail dark brown edged with olive grey. 



The female somewhat resembles the male, but is a little 

 paler in colour, and has her cap of a reddish brown, which 

 gives her so different an appearance, that some writers have 

 described her as a distinct variety, or even as a separate 

 species. 



,X|ie silky plumage of these birds is so frail and delicate 

 that they require a large cage and very great care to keep 

 thpm from disfiguring their wings and tail. 



The Blackcap is found throughout Europe, frequenting gardens 

 as well' as woods and orchards. I have known instances of 

 its building within a few feet of the windows of a common 



