(51) ORDER, PASSERES, (Linn.) BLACK-CAP. The BLACK-CAP, (Motacilla Atricapilla,) Mock-Nightingale, Nettle-creeper, or Nettle-monger, inhabits England, Europe, and Siberia; it is found also at Madeira, and there called TintaNegra. It is a migratory bird, arriving in this country in April, and leaving it sometime in the autumn; its winter retreat is not known; it is, however, occasionally seen here in January. It is between five and six inches long. The head of the male is black, back greyish-brown, with a tinge of green; beneath ash-colour. Three or four varieties. The female is larger than the male, and has the crown of the head of a rust-colour. Builds generally in low bushes, but sometimes in an old ivy-tree. Eggs four or five, pale reddish-brown, mottled with a deeper colour, sprinkled with a few dark spots; the male and female sit upon the eggs in turn. Feeds on insects, and also on the berries of the spurge laurel, service, and especially ivy. Has, it is said, in Italy, two broods in a year; in this country only one. The black-cap may with propriety be called the English Mocking-bird; it has been heard to sing the notes of the Blackbird, Thrush, Nightingale, Redstart, and Sedge-Warbler, besides its own peculiar whistle, which is most delightful; it makes also a noise resembling that of a pair of shears used in clipping a fence, which is also the noise made by its young. See the paper by Messrs. Sheppard and Whitear, before referred to in the Introduction. THE NIGHTINGALE'S SONG. Motacilla Luscinia.-LINNÆUS. Sweet is the time when all the fields But sweeter far than these the time When, on his eager wings, An evening descant sings. Sweet morn, sweet eve, and sweet the day, But, oh! how sweeter far the time In notes of magic power.* For a description of the NIGHTINGALE'S SONG, see the Introduction; for its form, colours, habits, &c. see note (5.) * It is here presumed that the female, as well as the male nightingale, sings; the fact, however, is doubtful: the reader will, it is hoped, pardon the poetical licence. THE BANQUET. Quæ virtus et quanta, boni, sit vivere parvo, Behold now the banquet! And, first, we remark, Where sweet-smelling shrubs strew'd about might be seen. The lilac put forth her delights in the vale; Other spring-flowers' odours were mix'd with the gale There was CORN-wheat, oats, barley, for many a Fowl; There was grass for the Goose, and a mouse for the OWL. There were pease for the Roox, as an elegant treat; For the CROW there was carrion, he glories to eat. The BULFINCH's feast was some buds from the plum, That, torn fresh from the tree, made the gardener look glum. For PHEASANTS and NIGHTINGALES, ants' eggs were found; And flies for the SWALLOWS in numbers abound. For the SEA-GULL was many a cock-chafer grub; Many WARBLERS pick'd worms from the tree or the shrub ; The SEA-BIRDS directed attention to fish; The Duck partook almost of every dish. For the SWAN were some water-plants pluck'd from the pond; Of fish the KING-FISHERS evinc'd they were fond. The DIVERS, GREBES, GUILLEMOTS, WATER-RAILS, too, On the dishes of fish all instinctively flew. For the GOLDFINCH was groundsel, a delicate bit; For the CRANE was an eel; for the THRUSH was a snail; And barley for PARTRIDGE, for PIGEON, and QUAIL. For the CUCKOO, an earthworm-his greatest delight; Some HAWKS, of fowl, flesh, or fish, seiz'd what they might; |