24 Thk Spotted Flycatcher 



and every day the woman removed them, and, at the end of the week, placed a 

 stone on the ledge, which effectuallv baffled the Flycatcher's efforts at that spot ; 

 but the bird then began building at the latter end of the ledge, from whence it 

 was also driven, and three stones being then placed on the ledge, the bird relin- 

 quished the attempt to build at either end of it, and commenced building a nest 

 on a beech-tree opposite, which it completed, and laid two eggs in it. When the 

 bird was thus apparently established in the beech-tree, the stones over the door 

 were taken away, when the Flycatcher immediately forsook its nest and eggs in 

 the beech, and again commenced building over the door on the part of the pro- 

 jecting ledge, which it had first chosen. The nest was again destro3^ed, and two 

 slates placed over the spot ; the bird contrived to throw down one of the slates 

 from a slanting to a horizontal position, and then began to build upon it. The 

 nest \\'a.s again destro3'ed, and the three stones replaced and kept there a fortnight, 

 after which they were again removed, and, directly they were taken awa}-, the bird 

 again began building. The nest was subsequently destro3-ed several times in 

 succession ; the bird was twice driven awa}' b}^ a towel being thrown at it ; a stone 

 wrapped in white paper was placed on the ledge to intimidate it, but the Fl3'catcher 

 still persevered, completed a nest, and laid an egg- On hearing the circumstances 

 I directed that the perseciition of the poor bird shoiild cease, after which it laid 

 two more eggs, hatched all three, and successfull3' brought off its brood." 



Some 3'ears since a 3'oung Spotted Fl3-catcher was brought to me ; it had 

 flown against a lan:p, was temporaril3^ stunned, and a lad picked it up without 

 difficulty. I tried to keep it, but it refused to feed, as most birds do after the3' 

 have left the nest, and, although I forced it to eat, it died the next day : perhaps 

 I lost nothing b3' the death of this bird ; for the Flycatchers are not especially 

 suited to cage or aviar3' life, are neither attractive in plumage or song, and are 

 said to be delicate and difficult to keep in health. If reared from the nest they 

 would doubtless eat the usual soft food, but I should expect them to follow the 

 example of the Hirundinidce, eat to repletion and take little exercise. They have 

 been kept, but it may be questioned whether it is worth the trouble.* 



• In 1SS7, 1895, and 1896 examples were exhibited at the annual Crystal Palace Show, and doubtless 

 others in later years. 



