278 BRITAIN'S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 



Nest-building is undertaken soon after the birds'" arrival, 

 for incubation generally begins in the second half of May 

 in the south. Some crevice in a wall or tree may shelter 

 the nest, or it may be placed on a roof-beam of a 

 veranda or outhouse, or among hanging creepers. The 

 nest itself is a tidy and inconspicuous structure of moss, 

 lichens, pieces of bark, and the like, with a comfortable 

 lining of feathers, wool, and hair. The four to six eggs 

 are bluish or greenish white, and the rusty markings 

 take the form of cloudings. The cock feeds his sitting 

 mate, but does not appear to share in the incubation. 

 Two broods are often reared. 



The song of this species is very weak, but the abrupt 

 call-note is more noticeable. 



THE PIED FLY=CATCHER 



(Muscicapa atricapilla). 



The Pied Fly-catcher is also a summer visitor, but in 

 much smaller numbers than its congener. It breeds only 

 very locally in England and Wales, principally in the 

 north and west. In Scotland it is even more scarce and 

 local, but has been known to breed as far north as 

 Inverness-shire. To Ireland it is only a rare wanderer. 

 The name indicates the chief difference between the plum- 

 age of the two species, but the young of the Pied Fly- 

 catcher are also spotted. The white on the wing and 

 forehead of the adult male make it unmistakable. The 

 nest of dry grass and roots is lined with hair. It is 

 usually in a hole in a tree, less often in a crevice in a 

 wall. The six to nine eggs are pale blue, sometimes with 

 a few reddish specks. 



