BLACKCAP. 
CUHRUCJ ATJtICAPILLA. 
This well-tamvn songster, whose note almost rivals that of the Nightingale, is distrihuted over the majority o 
our English counties, being found, according to my own experience, more plentifully m the southern an 
eastern portions of the country. The Blackcap is stated to have hcon observed, m suitable localities, as far as t e 
north of Scotland by many competent witnesses ; this is doubtless the case, though the ii las u se i cm 
come under my notice in the Highlands. When busily occupied in studying the habits or endeavouring to obtain 
specimens of the larger birds of prey, or some scarce member of the Wader or Wildfowl fami y, i is qui e 
possible such small fry would escape unnoticed; this, I conclude, is the reason I have failed to lecognize one 
or two of the Warblers and other diminutive wanderers that have been reported by certain observers. Some 
years back I remarked a few scattered birds in East Lothian in a warm sheltered valley at no great distance 
from the coast ; as it was then towards the close of summer, I was ignorant whether these Warblers had been 
bred in the locality (which was in every respect adapted to their habits) or were working their way southward 
from some more northern haunt. 
The Blackcap arrives on the south coast of Engknd about the second week in April. My attention was 
attracted a few years ago by two remarkably fine males that had taken up their summer quarters within 
what appeared an exceedingly short distance of one another : the spot they had selected was situated in the 
wooded district a few miles north of the range of the South Downs in Sussex. These two birds were watched 
on several occasions during three or four days (April loth to 18th) feeding on ivy-berries in the most amicable 
manner, almost side by side. Not a glimpse of either of the females was obtained, and it is doubtful whether 
they had at that date reached our shores. I can find no entry in my notes referring to the earliest 
date at which the eggs of this species have been seen. The young birds in my collection were obtained 
on the 8th of Julv, when just on the point of quitting the nest: this was e\idently a late brood (the first 
nest having probably been robbed), as I have repeatedly remarked young birds appearing in the woods and 
coverts within a few miles of the south coast shortly after this date. 
In company with Garden-lVarblers, these birds may regularly be seen every autumn feeding gieedily on 
fruit in gardens near the coast just prcAdous to their departure, their heads, beaks, and bicasts being at times 
deeply stained by the juice of the elder -berries, for which they appear to entertain an especial fancy. Insects 
and caterpillars also afford a large proportion of the food of these birds. I repeatedly w’^atched both old and 
young taking the gi’een caterpillars from plants and flow'crs. Bird-catchers are vi'ell aware that the meal- 
worm is a bait this species is unable to resist. 
Though usually concealed with considerable care, I have on more than one occasion met Avith the nest of 
this species in a ridiculously conspicuous position ; this, hoAvever, has only occurred Avhen the site chosen Avas 
more elevated than that commonly selected, and Avhere a perpetual dark shade Avas thrown over the Avhole of 
the immediate surroundings by the dense foliage of lofty overhanging timber. The cradle constructed for 
