ii4 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



were secured in Wales, where I have located as 

 many as four nests in a wood of only a few 

 acres. The picture of male and female outside a 

 nesting hole was secured whilst the former was 

 trying to induce the latter to go back to her nest 

 and eggs, near which the terrifying camera stood. 

 When a Pied Flycatcher cannot induce his mate 

 to go back to her maternal duties by coaxing her 

 with food he chases her from tree to tree until he 

 finally compels her to enter the nesting hole. I 



PIED FLYCATCHERS AT NESTING HOLE. 



have met with the bird once in Essex, but do not 

 think it was breeding. 



Materials. Dry grass, moss, leaves, feathers, 

 and hair, loosely put together. 



Egg 8 - Five to eight, generally five or six. Of 

 a uniform pale blue or greenish-blue, closely re- 

 sembling those of the Redstart, but they are 

 occasionally marked with a few reddish-brown spots, 

 it is said; however, I have never seen any so 

 marked. Size about .75 by .55 in. (See Plate V.) 



Time. May and June. 



Remarks. Migratory ; arriving in April and 



