74 



and departs in September. It appears in various 

 parts of England, but is chiefly confined to the 

 northern counties, where it also breeds, building its 

 nest in the hole of a decayed tree. The nest is 

 composed chiefly of roots and grass, or leaves, 

 hay, &C., and is lined with hair and feathers. The 

 female lays from five to eight eggs, of a pale blue 

 colour, similar in appearance to those of the Bed- 

 starts. 



FLYCATCHER, SPOTTED. 



BEAM BIRD. 

 MUSCICAPA GRISOLA, Lin. 



This species is also common in the southern 

 parts of Europe, and is found as far south as the 

 Cape of Good Hope. It is one of our late summer 

 visitors, seldom making its appearance before the 

 middle of May, and departing again about the 

 beginning of October. It is generally distributed 

 in England; is found also in Ireland, and in limited 

 numbers in Scotland. It frequents plantations, 

 low bushy hollows, orchards, and gardens. Its 

 nest, which is formed of moss and small twigs, 

 lined with hair and feathers, is often placed upon the 

 ends of the beams or rafters in garden houses and 

 other out-buildings. It also builds in the holes of 

 trees and walls, or on the branch of a tree against 



