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FLY-CATCHER. 



one of these the Pied Fly-catcher (Muscicapa atricapilla), 

 is so rare as to be seldom seen; the other, however, 

 known by the name of the Beam-bird, is common 

 enough, building very frequently upon the ends of 

 beams, or rafters in garden-houses, from whence it pro- 

 bably takes its name. They act the part of Hawks 

 amongst flies, feeding on them alone, and always on 

 the look-out. In summer-time, it is very interesting to 

 watch a Beam-bird, perched on some prominent twig, 

 commanding p, view all round. In an instant it may be 

 seen to dart, like a little shot, upon a fly passing often 

 at so great a distance, that it would quite escape our 



The Paradise Fly- Catcher. 



powers of vision; but by no means that of this keen- 

 sighted bird, for the fly is no sooner seen than caught, 

 and brought back with equal rapidity to the twig on 

 which the bird was before perched. The clearness of 



