144 INSESSORES. MUSCICAPA. FLYCATCHER. 



where it has been most frequently met with, and consequent- 

 ly where, if indigenous, it was most likely to have been 

 found during the winter ; but in no quarter has any trace of 

 its permanent residence been discovered, and my inquiries 

 have been answered, by stating it as a bird that evidently 

 arrives in the spring, and disappears in the autumn. 



Its mode of life, and the species of food upon which it 

 subsists, also militate against the idea of its wintering in this 

 island ; for, living entirely on winged insects, it would be 

 impossible for it to procure an adequate supply of food du- 

 ring the severity of the winter season. I should even be in- 

 clined to consider the few individuals met with in England 

 during the summer, as birds that have been driven rather 

 out of the regular track of their polar migration ; and the 

 following fact goes far towards confirming this supposition. 

 In May 1822, after a very severe storm of wind and rain 

 from the south-east, several of these birds made their ap- 

 pearance in Northumberland, and I procured specimens of 

 both sexes, the males being in different states of progress to- 

 wards the summer's plumage. As the weather continued 

 cold for some days subsequent to their appearance, they were 

 obliged to resort to dunghils, and other warm situations, for 

 a supply of their natural food. After remaining for about 

 a fortnight to recruit their strength (for at first they exhi- 

 bited great weakness), they all disappeared ; nor could I as- 

 certain that a single pair remained in that neighbourhood 

 during the season of incubation. 



Their manners, flight, and method of catching their prey, 

 were similar to the preceding species ; and they were general- 

 ly mute. 



The West Riding of Yorkshire, and the neighbourhood 

 of Penrith in Cumberland, appear to be the districts in 



catchers, shot whilst actively employed in coming down from the tops of 

 oak trees to catch the flies, which the swallows also were busy in taking." 

 Length 5| inches, breadth 7^ inches ; weight of the one 3 drs. 1 scr. 5grs., 

 of the other, 3 drs. 1 scr. 1 gr. 



