BIRDS OF THE GARDENS . 21 



Habits. — One of the most aerial of birds, and flying 

 with extreme rapidity. Especially active and loquacious 

 in sultry weather, and most susceptible of cold. Prac- 

 tically incapable of walking, and never perches. 



Food. — Insects captured on the wing. 



Nest. — May. One brood. 



Site. — In holes in ruins, church towers, and sea-cliffs, 

 under slates of roofs, &c. 



Materials. — Straw, grass, feathers, moss and wool, 

 cemented together with its adhesive, inspissated saliva. 

 Rude, flat, and ill-compacted. 



Eggs. — Two — rarely more. White, rough in texture 

 and oval in shape. 



ROSE-COLOURED STARLING {Pastor roseus). 



An irregular visitor which has occurred from time to 

 time in most counties. 



Plumage. — Head, crest, neck and throat glossy purplish 

 black. Wings and tail glossy greenish-black. Back 

 and under parts salmon-rose. Bill rose-coloured, black 

 towards base. Legs yellowish brown. Length 8J in. 



In habits and language it much resembles the Starling. 

 Its favourite food is the locust, hence its erratic migra- 

 tions. Breeds in Southern Europe and Western Asia. 



SPOTTED FLYCATCHER {Muscicapa grisola). 



May to September. Pretty common throughout 

 Great Britain ; rarer towards the north and in Scotland 

 and Ireland. 



Haunts. — Gardens, margins of woods, &c. 



