8 Transactions of the [Sess. 



most careful study by the late Dr Charles Darwin. They are easily 

 grown in a saucer filled with wet Moss, if it is placed in a situation 

 where the air is humid. The hairy appendages with which the 

 leaves are furnished have a minute globule of mucilage at the 

 point of each, and the unwary fly or other insect that comes in 

 contact with these at once adheres, and gradually is absorbed by 

 the plant. 



The setting sun was gilding the mountain-tops, and the shades 

 of night were falling upon the lower ground, when at last we 

 arrived in sight of our destination. A few minutes more and we 

 were receiving a kindly welcome from those who thought some 

 accident had befallen us, or that we had lost ourselves.^ A refresh- 

 ing wash, and a cosy tea, soon made us forget our fatigues, and 

 then we all joined in recalling to each other the incidents and 

 adventures of a memorable day in the Wilds of Kilmonivaig and 

 North- West Badenoch.^ 



II.— NOTE ON THE HABITS OF THE SPOTTED FLYCATCHER 

 (MUSCICAPA GRISOLA). 



By Mr A. B. HERBERT. 



{Read Oct. 20, 1881.) 



This bird was evidently a great favourite with Gilbert White of 

 Selborne, who aptly designates it " that most mute and most 

 familiar bird ; " for though it is said to occasionally utter a faint 

 warble, it has no claim to being a song-bird, and its usual note is 

 a sharp call-note, or perhaps, more properly, cry of alarm, which is 

 generally accompanied by a quick opening and closing of the wings 

 as it sits on some post or dead branch on the look-out for flies and 

 other insects ; and as regards its familiarity, the nest is most 

 commonly placed in a tree trained against our dwellings or garden 

 walls, and I know scarcely any bird which has less fear of mankind. 

 Flycatchers come to us early in May, and leave in August or early 



^ Some years ago an English gentleman was lost in this district among the 

 mountains for several days, and at last found his way into Glen Roy, where 

 he received the necessary aid. 



2 In addition to the Mosses mentioned, we also got the following : Webera 

 nutam, Schreb. , two varieties; W. Ludioirjii, Spreng. , var. data, Schpr. , growing 

 at spring on north side of the summit ; Bryum alpinum, L., lax form ; Grim- 

 mia Hartmanni, Schpr., abnormal, and dwarf leaf-points distorted; Dicraiumi 

 falcatum, Hedw.; Philonotia fontanel, L. 



