44 BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



tribution, and needs looking for. Like its relative, it is a 

 Summer Migrant, arriving in May. 

 Plumage. — A double moult takes place, occurring in Autumn, and 

 again in the Spring. Above the colour is black, including the 

 tail; the same on wings, with white on central coverts; white 

 edging on scapulars ; white underneath. The female is greyish- 

 brown in lieu of the black; the white parts are not so pure, 

 and the three lateral feathers of the tail have white edges. 

 Length. — Five inches. 



FLYCATCHER, SPOTTED (Muscicapa grtsola) 



Local Names. — Beam Bird, Bee Bird, Chait, Chanchider, Cherry 

 Chopper, Cherry Snipe, Cherrv Sucker, Cobweb Bird, Fig-Eater, 

 Gray Flycatcher, Miller, Post Bird, Rafter, Wall Bird, White 

 Baker, White Wall. 



Haunt. — Woods, copses, plantations, lanes, orchards, and gardens. 



Nesting Period. — May to July. 



Site of Nest. — Holes in trees and walls, in an arbour, among ivy on 

 a wall, between old posts, etc. 



Materials Used. — Leaves, moss, fine grasses, and a little hair. 



Eggs. — Four or Five. Greyish-white, with a blue tinge, freckled 

 with orange-brown. 



Food. — Soft insects captured upon the wing. 



Voice. — A silent species, but utters a curious note like "u-tick." 



Chief Features. — Often overlooked owing to inconspicuous plumage, 

 but is quite a common bird. Has a favourite watch-tower, 

 such as a rail or arm of a tree, and from thence takes little 

 flights into the air after insects. Has a remarkable power upon 

 the wing, controlling its movements with great deftness and 

 precision. A most beneficial species, for I have known one 

 bird to capture forty-five insects in fifteen minutes. A Summer 

 Migrant, arriving in May. 



Plumage. — Ash-brown above; a central dark line on the head 

 feathers; white underneath, the sides being marked with 

 longitudinal brown streaks; red-tinged flanks. Length. — Five 

 and a half inches. 



GADWALL (Chaulelasmus streperus) 



Local Names. — Gray, Gray Duck, Grey, Grey Duck. 



Haunt. — Fresh waters. 



Nesting Period. — May and June. 



Site of Nest. — Among reeds and rushes. 



Materials Used. — Dry grass, leaves, and rushes, lined with down. 



