174 AMONGST THE WOODLAND BIRDS— 
by its leaves, was another nest trimly built 
on short twigs growing out from the trunk, 
situated like the willow wren’s before de- 
scribed. We counted five eggs of a creamy- 
white colour, with specks and large blotches 
of a faded blood-red. It was about the same 
size as the chaffinch’s,and consisted of moss 
and lichen, with a lining of feathers. Watch- 
ing for the builder, we saw it was a spotted 
flycatcher. As we had seen a pair of the 
birds a few hours before, we were delighted to 
find a nest of theirs. Dear little trusting 
birds are these! They are fond of gardens 
and the vicinity of houses, and like to build 
in trellis-work or a nook in an outhouse or 
a stack of wood. They will return to the 
same spot year after year, but rear only one 
brood each season. A pair built in the porch 
of a house of a friend of mine for several 
seasons, not heeding the many passers in and 
out. If there be a high post anywhere or 
a dead twig standing out from a bush or 
tree, this is a point of vantage that they like 
from which to catch insects in the manner 
