CURRUCA HEINEKEN. 



that they are only varieties of each other. This opinion is formed upon 

 the following authorities, " that a neighbour once saw a Capello cock and 

 common hen tending the same nest, but having no object in doing so at 

 the time, he did not take the trouble of ascertaining the contents of the 

 nest, or of pursuing the matter farther." The females of both species (sup- 

 posing them distinct), are most likely so similar, that we could easily con- 

 ceive an uninterested observer mistaking the one for the other, and in this 

 instance the Capello cock would really attend its own female. The next 

 authority, and we grant it to be a strong one, is, that in a nest of four 

 young, one is found to be a Capello cock, the others the common species. 

 Without wishing to impeach the veracity of Dr Heineken's friend, on 

 whose authority the above is given, we must remark, that we do not place 

 very great reliance on bird-fanciers in general, and as he had apparently 

 no object in view, except procuring the bird as a pet, or for its song, we 

 at once think that there may have been some mistake, and that Dr Hei- 

 ne ken should see the fact proved by himself before decidedly setting them 

 down as varieties. If, besides, it is only a variety of the common species, 

 is there any reason why it should be confined to Madeira, or that it should 

 not be found over all Europe, where the bird is so common ? Upon com- 

 paring the Capello with Madeira specimens of the common Blackcap, we 

 can perceive- a difference in length of from one to two eighths of an inch, 

 and in some British specimens of nearly half an inch, and the general ap- 

 pearance of the bird more stout or strongly made. These differences, with 

 the decided and constant variation of colour and marking, induce us still 

 to think them distinct. We trust that Dr Heineken will not think the 

 above remarks made with any spirit of illiberality, or to detract from the 

 observations he has made, but will consider them merely as a difference of 

 opinion, stated that they may induce naturalists who have the opportunity 

 of investigating a subject, which, if proved in one way, would present a very 

 curious anomaly in ornithology. We shall now transcribe the Doctor's 

 own remarks. 



" We have a male variety of the Sylvia Atrieapilla, Lath. (Blackcap ; 

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

 is called " Tinto negro de Capello," (Blackcap with a hood or cowl) ; is a 

 somewhat larger or coarser bird than the common one ; its female plumage 

 more sombre and olivaceous ; and the black, instead of being confined 

 to the head, extends as low as the shoulders behind, and loses itself gra- 

 dually in the breast before. In habit, economy, and song, it is precisely 

 similar. Satisfied with the universal opinion that it was merely a variety, 



