M^ 



FLYCATCHERS. 101 



and killed her on the nest. The cock immediately 

 deserted the place. 



FAMILY III. MUSCICAPAD^:. 



(Flycatchers.) 



The present family seems to form the link by 

 which the Dentirostres are connected with the Fis- 

 sirostres. Like the latter, they possess a beak 

 broad at the base, and flattened horizontally, the tip 

 generally hooked, and the gape environed with 

 bristles ; like them, their feet are for the most part 

 feeble, or at least not so much developed as the 

 wings ; and, like them, they feed upon winged in- 

 sects, which they capture during flight. They are, 

 however, much more sedentary in their habits ; 

 they do not pursue insects in the higher regions 

 of the atmosphere, or wheel and course after them, 

 as do the Swallows, but like the Todies (which 

 have in fact often been placed in this family), they 

 choose some prominent post of observation, where 

 they sit and watch for vagrant insects that may 

 pass within a short distance ; on these they dart 

 out upon the wing, but if unsuccessful at the 

 first swoop, rarely pursue it more than a few 

 yards ; and if successful, snapping it up with the 

 broad and bristled beak, they return to the very 

 spot whence they sallied out, to eat it. The habit 

 of selecting some particular twig, or the top of a 

 post, or other spot, from which to watch and 

 make their assaults, and to which they return 

 after each essay, is very characteristic of these 

 birds. 



The Muscicapadte comprise a vast number of 



