THE BLACKCAP. 



Sylvia atricapilla, Lath. 



This species arrives in England generally early 

 in April ; the male birds making their appear- 

 ance before the females. It leaves us again in 

 September. It measures nearly six inches in 

 length. Woods and thick hedges are its favour- 

 ite haunts ; it likewise seems particularly partial 

 to orchards and gardens, where it delights us 

 with a wild melodious song. 



" The Blackcap," says Syme, " is truly a most 

 delightful warbler, and may be ranked as second 

 in the class of British Song Birds. Indeed, in 

 our opinion, its mellow notes are equal, if not 

 superior in richness of tone, to any in the Night- 

 ingale's song. It is true the warble is desultory, 

 but sweetly wild, and full of melody. The cadence 

 rises and swells, then dies away in a soft and 

 plaintive strain. Its shake or trilling note is 

 the finest we ever heard." According to Bechstein, 

 the female sings also, but in a more limited degree, 

 very much like the Redbreast. 



The female is distinguished from the other sex 

 by the crown of the head, which is of a dull rust 

 colour ; she is also superior in size. Both birds 

 occasionally perform the office of incubation. The 

 nest is built in some low bush or shrub, composed 



