BLACKCAP, 
BLACKCAP WARBLER. MOCK NIGHTINGATE. 
Sylvia atricapilla, PENNANT. JENYNS. 
Motacilla atricapilla, Montacu. BEWICcK. 
ss mosquita, GMELIN, 
Curruga atricapilla, GouLp. FLEMING. 
Sylvia. Sylva—A wood. 
Atricapilla. Ater—Black. Capillus—The hair of the head. 
Tue Blackeap is more cosmopolite in its character than 
any other of the British Warblers. It frequents the whole 
of the temperate parts of Europe, from Spain and Portugal 
to Germany, Italy, Lapland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. 
In Africa it is found from the northern parts to the Cape 
of Good Hope, and midway in Senegal, as likewise in 
Madeira and the Azores. In Asia also it is known, in 
Persia, Java, and Japan. 
Throughout England it is met with in all quarters of the 
country, but mostly in the south, from Sussex to the Land’s 
End, and from Suffolk and Norfolk to Derbyshire and Wales. 
In Cornwall it is scarce; in Yorkshire it is commonly dis- 
tributed, but is least plentiful it is said near Huddersfield, 
where, however, some are believed to stay throughout the 
year. One was caught in the township of St. J ohn in Bed- 
wardine, near Worcester, on the 20th. of January, 1843. 
Another in January, about the year 1847, near Dover; and 
one on the 22nd. of December, 1852, in Norfolk. 
In Ireland it seems to be a reoular summer visitant to 
certain districts, but must be considered very local. Dr. 
Harvey, in his ‘Fauna of Cork,’ mentions two taken there 
in November, 1889; and one was found dead in the garden 
of Mr. Ball, near Youghal, in the second week in January, 
1838. Robert J. Montgomery, Esq., Jun., shot two on the 
