BLACKCAP 201 



family, from which they have now been separated on 

 account of certain important differences. The War- 

 blers have two moults during the year, and the young 

 are like the parents in colour. 



The Blackcap is in some respects almost as skilled 

 a performer as the Nightingale, and it is much more 

 widely distributed than that famous songster. The 

 female Blackcap has the crown of the head a dull 

 chestnut, and so also have the young in their first 

 plumage. See Plate 13, Fig. 72. 



Another sweet singer, but far inferior to the Night- 

 ingale and Blackcap, is the Whitethroat, a common 

 bird in the British Islands. The male White-throat 

 displays great courage in defense of his nest and 

 young. When an intruder draws near, he flits from 

 branch to branch, with every feather of his crest and 

 throat erect, and tail widely spread, while every now 

 and then he shoots up into the air and descends again, 

 almost vertically, keeping^ up this scolding remon- 

 strance until the danger is past. See Plate 13, Fig. 

 71. 



The Golden-crested Wren has the distinction of 

 being the smallest of European birds, measuring not 

 more than three and a half inches in length. Its nest 

 is a wonderful structure of moss, felted together by 

 spider-webs and sheep's wool. Outside, bits of lichen 

 are fastened to render it inconspicuous, and the inside 

 is lined with feathers. This exquisite little nursery is 

 swung at the. end of a long bough, instead of being 

 placed on it. From five to eight, or even ten, tiny, 

 buff- white eggs, faintly freckled with red, are laid, and 

 most jealously brooded by the female. The young 



