242 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



and it is not really spotted ; it is, too, a silent bird, yet its neat 

 upright figure, perched on post, railing or dead branch is notice- 

 able. One of its names is " Post-Bird," another " Old Man,"' 

 probably from this upright pose. Its short aerial saUies attract 

 the eye ; sometimes it swoops obliquely with unerring aim upon 

 some insect flying below, but usually, after many smart twists 

 and turns, it cuts short the career of a dodger. Then, as a rule, 

 it returns to its observation post, though often it will have two 

 look-outs to which it flies in turns. On the wing it is a spry 

 little bird, but when perched has an air of studied indifference ; 

 it is not the watchful sentinel like the Shrike. Yet little escapes 

 its bright eye ; its flights are timed with such precision that it 

 seldom misses its quarry. Naturally the look-out is best where 

 the space in front is open ; thus the Flycatcher frequents the 

 border of a lawn, the outskirts of a wood or edge of a clearing, 

 or the branches of willow or alder overhanging a stream. The 

 call zit or zit-chic is not loud, but is more frequently noticed than 

 the slight low song in May and June, a few repeated soft notes. 

 It is often stated, on the strength of habits observed abroad, 

 that berries are sometimes eaten, but in England all its time is 

 occupied flycatching. Butterflies, moths, beetles and aphids 

 are taken, but most of its captures are two-winged dipterous 

 flies. Mr. J. H. Owen saw young fed with wasps. 



For a nesting site the Spotted Flycatcher shows preference 

 for buildings — dwelling houses and outhouses, and it has been 

 known to return again and again to a favourite site in spite of 

 repeated discouragement. The ledge or moulding of a window, 

 the end of a projecting beam — from which it is known as the 

 " Beam-bird " — a hole in a wall, trellis-work or creepers are all 

 favoured, but in the woods it will nest in ivy or a cleft in a tree. 

 Old nests of other species are frequently made use of, sometimes 

 immediately the late occupants have flown ; as a rule a slight 

 lining of hair, grass or feathers is added. The size does not 

 matter, for I have known the nest of the Blackbird and that of 



