82 BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 



parts in the six northern comities of England, 

 Wales, and the South of Scotland. In the days of 

 my youth I knew an old ruin in Yorkshire wherein 

 a Pied Flycatcher and a Redstart nested within a 

 few feet of each other. The former bird occupied 

 the site for years in succession. 



Materials. Dry grass, moss, leaves, feathers, 

 and hair, loosely put together. 



Eggs. Five to eight, generally five or six. Of 

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

 bling those of the Redstart, but 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. 



Time. May and June. 



Remarks. Migratory ; arriving in April and 

 leaving in September or October. Notes very like 

 those of the Redstart. Local and other names : 

 Goldfinch. A close sitter : T could often have caught 

 the bird whose nest I have just mentioned. 



FLYCATCHER, SPOTTED. 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about six 

 inches. Bill of medium length, straight, broad at 

 the base, and dusky-black in colour. Irides dark 

 brown. Head, back of neck, back, rump, arid 

 upper tail-coverts brown, the head being spotted 

 with a darker tinge of the same colour. Wings 

 brown, tail the same colour, very slightly forked, 

 and a trifle lighter at the tip. Chin, throat, breast, 

 and under parts a dull white, streaked on the throat 

 and breast with dusky - brown. Legs, toes, and 

 claws dusky-black. 



The female is very similar to the male. 



