BRITISH BIRDS. 29 



whose habitat is within the Arctic circle, it does not sur- 

 vive very long in confinement, for the heat of summer tries 

 it greatly, and it usually succumbs to disease of the liver. 

 If it could be kept cool enough it would probably do well^ 

 as the appetite is very accommodating. 



In its manner of flying and walking it bears considerable 

 resemblance to the starling. The nest has not been found 

 in Great Britain. 



THE FLYCATCHERS. 



These birds form a distinct family, of which, at least, two 

 species are found in Great Britain, while a third is an 

 occasional visitor. 



Fam ily — Miiscicapidcc. 



Genus — Muscicapa. M. atricapilla. Pied Flycatcher. 



M. grisola. Spotted Flycatcher. 



M.parva. Red-breasted Fly- 



catcher. 



The Pied Flycatcher. — Although abundant on the 

 Continent of Europe, this species is rare in Great Britain, 

 and it is a moot point whether it is of migratory habits 

 here or stays with us throughout the winter. The fore- 

 bead is white, and the head, face, back, lesser wing coverts 

 and tail are black, with a tinge of blue. The greater wing- 

 coverts and the secondaries are white, but the primaries 

 are black, with a faint tinge of brown. All the under 

 parts, including the last pair of the tail feathers, are white, 

 with a greyish blue tinge on the breast and belly. The 

 length is about 6 inches, and the wing expanse 8. Sexes 

 very much alike outwardly, but the female has a faint 

 yellowish tinge on the breast, perhaps contracted during 



