34 THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND, 



catchers nesting for two successive summers in the 

 stump of a felled tree. So frequently is a favourite 

 hole used in successive seasons, that we have more 

 than once found it necessary to block up such holes 

 in order to secure the bird from certain robbery. 

 The eggs are normally from six to nine in number, 

 and vary in their precise tint of blue, some speci- 

 mens being exceedingly pale. When the eggs are 

 incubated, the female Pied Flycatcher sits so closely, 

 that actual force is required to lift her off the eggs. 



The Pied Flycatcher diifers from the Spotted 

 Flycatcher, inasmuch as it possesses a very decided 

 song, commencing with some notes resembling those 

 of the Great Tit, and passing into a sweet strain 

 suggestive of the song of the common Redstart. 

 The Pied Flycatcher is frequently to be seen among 

 the highest branches of forest trees ; while the 

 Spotted Flycatcher is content with a lower elevation. 

 The flight of the Pied Flycatcher is not so rapid as 

 that of the common bird, nor does it obtain its food 

 as exclusively on the wing. The Pied Flycatcher 

 loves to take up its position at the extremity of a 

 dead bough, whence it can watch the tiny insects 

 stirring in the grass beneath. A caged female con- 

 stantly exhibited a high degree of adroitness in 

 darting down upon any insect introduced into her 

 caa;e. 



Mr. Heysham kept two young males in con- 

 finement, taken from the nest on June 2 1st. 



Although such a local species, the Pied Fly- 

 catcher has undoubtedly increased in Cumberland 

 of late years. The late Mr. Heysham stated in 



