THE BLACKCAP. 
53 
fair to state that Bechstein, a very good judge, says that the Blackcap rivals the 
nightingale, and that many persons even give it the preference. ‘ It sings, compared 
with the nightingale,’ says this writer, ‘for a much longer period both when wild 
and in confinement, its song being hardly suspended throughout the year by day, and 
prolonged, like that of the nightingale, far into the night, though begun at dawn.’ ” 
The nest of this bird is occasionally found lined with horse-hair alone, but 
more frequently with hair, root-fibres, and the like. Broderip speaks feelingly of 
having seen one in Theodore Hooks garden at Fulham suspended in a festoon 
of ivy which had shot out from the wall, and clung to a neighbouring young 
some seven feet from the ground. Lower bushes of hawthorn and honey¬ 
suckle are generally more to its mind. Alany writers dwell on its trustful nature. 
“The Blackcap,” says one, “ is a bird of a most amiable and affectionate temper; 
not only does he most assiduously share in the labours of the hen bird in a state 
of freedom, but when taken captive with his family he continues to feed the young 
ones and the female; even forcing the latter to eat when the misery she experiences 
from her loss of freedom would lead her to refuse all sustenance. In time he 
becomes also much attached to the person who takes care of him. He will call 
his attendant with a particular note, and when he sees him approach his tones 
become more expressive of affection.” It is said, too, that if Blackcaps are retained 
in captivity during late autumn, many of them after much restlessness and agitation 
will die, so strongly do they feel the migratory instinct. Taken all in all, the 
Blackcap is well worthy of attentive study by all fond of birds; not, however, we 
would plead, under the unnatural conditions of a cage, which always inflict more 
or less suffering upon migratory birds, but in the joyous freedom of its life in the 
orchards and gardens which it loves. 
