The Spo'rrp:D Flycatcher 21 



The nests of the Flycatchers are open, and more or less cup-shaped in 

 character ; they are frequently placed in holes or crevices in trees, rocks, or walls ; 

 but some of the species build upon thick branches, or even in the forks of branches ; 

 the eggs of the different species vary considerably in character, some being heavily 

 spotted, and others spotless.* 



The flight is undulating ; the song low-pitched, and not of great merit ; the 

 food consists mainly of insects, but is supplemented occasionally by a little fruit. 



Formerly the limits of this group of birds were much more extended than at 

 present ; Jerdon even included the Blue-throats, and expressed it as his opinion 

 that the Tyrants of the New World belonged to the family : vSeebohm observed 

 that — "The Flycatchers inhabit the Palaearctic, Oriental, and Ethiopian regions, 

 extending southwards to the Moluccas, but not occurring in the Australian region. 

 Four species are found in Europe, of which two breed in the British Islands, and 

 one is an accidental visitor." The latter, at the time when his "British Birds" 

 appeared, had only occurred here three times, but of late years other examples 

 have been obtained. 



Family— MUSCICAPIDyE. 



The Spotted Flycatcher. 



Muscicapa grisola, LiNN. 



HOWARD SAUNDERS states that this species "breeds as far north as 

 Tromso, in Norway, and Archangel, in Russia ; while southward it is 

 tolerably abundant throughout Europe, nesting down to the northern shores 

 of the Mediterranean ; also on the African side, and in Asia IMinor, Palestine, 



• The little New World genus Polioptila, referred by Dr. Sclater to this famil}-, is said to build in 

 bushes, and to lay white eggs. 



VOL. 11. G 



