Birds. 357 



and thought of the wonderful provision which Nature has given to so many of its 

 species, to protect their helpless charge from frequently impending danger. I have 

 repeatedly seen the blackcap chase the greater and blue titmice when intruding on its 

 precincts, with the greatest success. This songster is really a treasure to our groves 

 and thickets. I have heard it pour forth its rich melodious strains for a full half hour, 

 with little intermission, or without moving from its well-selected twig on the summit of 

 some favourite tree or bush. Mr. Yarrell, in his ' History of British Birds,' says with 

 regard to the variations in the song of the blackcap, — " like most other 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 in- 

 troduction of variations." This I can verify, for I have often heard the blackcap imi- 

 tate the lower notes of the blackbird, some notes of the thrush, and others of the robin. 

 Having never yet heard the song of that far-famed songster, the nightingale, a treat 

 which I am anxiously longing for, I think the blackcap makes an excellent substitute, 

 and if it would only tune up its pipes during the dead stillness of midnight, I have 

 little doubt that it would be thought nearly equal to the nightingale. When the fe- 

 male of this bird is sitting, I have noticed that the male becomes more shy and rest- 

 less, he rambles to the surrounding woods, and his song is more hurried and less sweet, 

 and uttered only for a short time. The blackcap, after the young are able to provide for 

 themselves, is most difficult of approach, and it is only with the greatest caution that 

 the observer is permitted to take a view of this restless bird. — Vivian Walmesley ; 

 Westwood House, Scpteynher 9, 1843. 



Anecdotes of a Robin. A young lady was visiting here a short time since, and 

 finding I was fond of studying birds, their habits &c., related to me an anecdote of a 

 robin. I requested her to let me know, on her return home, the particulars more fully 

 and accurately, as the circumstance occurred at the house of one of her friends, at a 

 village near Norwich. I herewith send you a verbatim copy of her account ; and if 

 at all suitable for that excellent periodical, ' The Zoologist,' pray make use of it. In 

 her letter to me my friend writes thus: — " I have just seen Miss D., and obtained 

 from her the particulars of the robin story, and find it even more extraordinary than 

 I had imagined, but you may rely on its veracity, for 1 committed it to paper im- 

 mediately on my return, lest my memory should prove treacherous. The tale is this. 

 In the spring of this year a robin entered the house, and commenced building a nest 

 over the book-case, in Mr. D.'s study ; but as they could not agree on the subject of 

 cleanliness and neatness, she was forced to make her exit, and submit to the destruc- 

 tion of her little nest. The next day, much to the surprise of the family, she made 

 her dehut in the drawing-room, deposited an e^g on the carpet, and respectfully with- 

 drew ; not however with the intention of quitting the house, for she boldly recommen- 

 ced her work in a bed-room. The servant said she had turned it out several times, 

 and more than once cleaned away the moss &c. which it had brought and deposited 

 on the head of the bed. But no sooner had she quitted the room, than the dear little 

 thing resumed its work ; so that at last they were obliged to shut up the room to keep 

 it out. During this time she laid another egg in the drawing-room. She then found 

 her way to the store-room, and there, among the preserving-jars, once more attempted 

 to take up her quarters : here she was soon discovered by her ruthless pursuers, who 

 again bade her avaunt ! She obeyed ; but for several days she was seen hovering 

 around her favourite haunts, but never again attempted to enter the house. What 

 an example of patience and perseverance, equalling, I think, that of Robert Bruce's 



