BLACKCAP. 



tory birds. They can eat the berries of ivy, and 

 the others that form part of the food of the re- 

 sident birds in the early spring ; and when insects 

 begin to be scarce before the Blackcaps take their 

 departure, they become plunderers of gardens. 

 This is a common habit with such of the sylvan 

 warblers as come near the habitations of man ; and 

 they levy on cherries, currants, strawberries, and 

 other small and early fruits, a tax for the service 

 which they render in destroying the insects, and 

 the pleasure they afford by the songs that accom- 

 pany their labours. 



The Blackcap's song is generally given from a 

 high perch or an elevated branch, or the top twig 

 if the tree be not very lofty. While it sings, the 

 axis of the body is very oblique, by the elevation 

 of the head, and the throat is much inflated- 

 While the bird is trilling, in which it excels every 

 songster of the grove in rapidity and clearness, and 

 in the swells and cadences which it gives to the 

 same trill, the throat has a very strong convulsive 

 motion, and the whole bird appears to be worked 

 into a high state of excitement.* 



The Blackcap will soon become familiar in con- 

 finement, and will sing the greater part of the year. 

 It will readily take to feed on bruised hemp-seed 

 and bread, if some currants, raspberries, or other 

 small fruit be stuck in it. As it is fond of bathing, 

 it should be well supplied with fresh water for that 

 purpose. 



* Mudie's Feathered Tribes. 



