134 THE PIED FLYCATCHER. 



Finchy, and one was noticed near the Avenue Bridge, in 

 the grounds of Paxton House, on the 12th of May 1877. 

 Mr. Small, Bird-stuffer, Edinburgh, has informed me that, 

 in 1874, he preserved one which was shot near Coldingham. 



In May 1884 this bird appeared in small numbers in 

 various districts of the county. Three beautiful specimens 

 were observed by me in the grounds of Paxton House in 

 the second week of that month ; and Mr. Andrew Balsillie, 

 Dykegatehead, informs me that he saw a pair in the Pistol 

 Plantation about the same time. In the beginning of May 

 1886 one was noticed in the Eetreat woods by Mr. James 

 Shiel, gamekeeper, Abbey St. Bathans. 



The nuptial dress of the male on his arrival in spring is 

 conspicuous, being black and white, and the bird conse- 

 quently is very noticeable at that season. After the 

 autumnal moult he assumes somewhat the same plumage as 

 the female and the young of the year, which is of an obscure 

 brown colour, and not attractive to the eye. In this state 

 several, both old and young, have been observed in the 

 months of September and October near the sea-coast at 

 Berwick,^ being evidently on their return journey to the 

 south. Like the Spotted Flycatcher, it appears to spend 

 the winter months in Africa. 



The Pied Flycatcher during its spring visit seems to be 

 fond of frequenting the edges of woods, avenues, trees over- 

 hanging small streams, and other spots where 



The hollow whispering breeze, the plaint of rills. 

 That, purling down amid the twisted roots 

 Which creep around, their dewy murmurs shake 

 On the soothed ear. 



Thomson, Sprinq. 



1 Hist. Ber. Nat. Club, vol. ix. p. 560, and vol. x. p. 386. 



