PLATE CLII 



tutes a chief excellence in the fong of the nightingale, but it never* 

 thelefs refembles it, and, with that exception, its noteis fo little 

 inferior, that it has obtained the appellation of the Mock Night- 

 ingale. — An inftance is recorded by BufFon, of a Black-cap, tu- 

 tored by the fong of the nightingale, whofe note at length fo far 

 excelled in melody and compafs as to filence the fong of its in- 

 llru(Slor. 



The Black-cap is a fmall bird, its length fcarcely exceeding five 

 inches ; the general colour above is aflien, with a tinge of greenifti ; 

 the fides of the head and body beneath greyilh, becoming white 

 towards the vent : the top of the head black. This is the defcrip- 

 tion of the male bird, from vi^hich the female differs in having the 

 head ferruginous. 



When this bird firft arrives, which is early ift the fpring, be- 

 fore the infedl race appears in fufEcient number to afford it fufle- 

 nancCj the berries of various plants furnifh it fupport : thefe it af- 

 terwards reje<5ls as infe6ls become more common, except the fruit 

 of the ivy, which is faid to conflitute a favourite food at all 

 times. 



The nefl, which is compofed of dried flalks, with an intermixture of 

 wool and green mofs, the fibres of roots and horfe-hair as a lining, 

 is placed generally in a bufh very near the ground : the eggs are 

 fiv^ in number, of a pale reddifh, mottled with a deeper colour, and 



f^w'dark fpots. 



The 



