Beccafico

Beccafico (Sylvia hortensis, or Curruca hortensis), a little bird of the family of the Sylviae, or Warblers (q.v.), sometimes called the Petty-chaps, and sometimes the Garden Warbler, rather rare in Britain, but abundant in some of the more southern parts of Europe, and in great demand for the table in Italy, its flesh being regarded as of peculiar delicacy. It is a mere summer bird of passage, however, not only in Britain, but even in the south of Europe. The upper parts are mostly of a brown colour, the lower parts whitish. It is a bird of very pleasing song. Beccafico is an Italian name signifying 'fig-pecker,' and is sometimes extended to other birds of the same family used for the table.