THE BLACK-CAP. 273 



( Sl ) Order, Passeres, (Linn.) Black-cap. 



The Black-cap, (Motacilla Atricapilla,) Mock-Nightingale, 

 Nettle-creeper, or Nettle-monger, inhabits England, Europe, and 

 Siberia ; it is found also at Madeira, and there called Tinta- 

 Negra. It is a migratory bird, arriving in this conn try in 

 April, and leaving it sometime in the autumn ; its winter retreat 

 is not known ; it is, however, occasionally seen here in January. 



It is between five and six inches long. The head of the male 

 is black, back greyish-brown, with a tinge of green ; beneath 

 ash-colour. Three or four varieties. The female is larger than 

 the male, aud has the crown of the head of a rust-colour. Builds 

 generally in low bushes, but sometimes in an old ivy-tree. 

 Eggs four or five, pale reddish-brown, mottled with a deeper 

 colour, sprinkled with a few dark spots ; the male and female 

 sit upon the eggs in turn. Feeds on insects, and also on the 

 berries of the spurge laurel, service, and especially ivy. Has, 

 it is said, in Italy, two broods in a year ; in this country only 

 one. 



The black-cap may with propriety be called the English 

 Mocking-bird ; it has been heasd to sing the notes of the Black- 

 bird, Thrush, Nightingale, Redstart, and Sedge-Warbler, besides 

 its own peculiar whistle, which is most delightful j it makes 

 also a noise resembling that of a pair of shears used in clipping 

 a fence, which is also the noise made by its young. See the 

 paper by Messrs. Sheppard and Whitear, before referred to in the 

 Introduction. 



