MUSCICAPA. FLYCATCHER. 517 



pressed, the hind toe not much stronger than the second, the 

 lateral toes equal, the third much longer ; the claws rather 

 long, arched, extremely compressed, and very acute. Fig. 256. 



The plumage is soft and blended, the feathers ovate, with 

 the filaments loose towards the end. Several long stiff bristles 

 at the base of the upper mandible on each side, and a series of 

 shorter bristles along the upper edge of the nasal membrane. 

 Wing rather long, broad, semiovate, rather pointed, with 

 eighteen quills, of which ten are primary or manual, the first 

 not half the length of the second, the latter and the third 

 longest ; the primaries tapering but rounded, the secondaries 

 broadly and abruptly rounded. The tail is of moderate length, 

 straight, even or a little emarginate, of twelve rounded feathers 

 of moderate breadth. 



Species of this genus occur in the warmer and temperate 

 parts of the old Continent, a few migrating in summer into the 

 northern regions. Their food consists of insects, which they 

 frequently or generally seize on wing, launching in pursuit of 

 them from an elevated station to which they return. But they 

 also search the ground, on which however they do not walk 

 with ease, their progression there being by short hops. Their 

 flight is quick and light ; they are expert at executing rapid 

 turns ; and in flying to a distance they move in an undulatory 

 manner. Their nests are of moderate size, neatly constructed 

 of straws, fibrous roots, and similar materials, and lined with 

 hair or feathers. The female seldom differs much from the 

 male in colour, and their attire is not generally gaudy. 



Two species occur in Britain, both summer birds. 



