FLYCATCHERS. 105 



to lose. Various are the situations selected for 

 the domestic economy : Sir W. Jardine mentions 

 as a very common locality, the branches of a fruit- 

 tree against the garden wall ; a niche in the wall ; 

 capitals of pillars, or some corner amidst sta- 

 tuary. Mr. Martin also observes, " We have very 

 frequently seen it between the branch of a trained 

 fruit-tree and the wall, or in holes of the wall 

 hidden by foliage. It will build also in the holes 

 of aged gnarled trees, upon the ends of beams in 

 out-houses, and in other appropriate places of 

 concealment." From the selection of beams or 

 rafters in tool-houses, &c., it has obtained in 

 some parts the local appellation of " Beam-bird." 

 But Mr. Jesse has recorded the most singular 

 choice of a breeding locality by this bird. " I 

 have now in my possession," he observes, " a nest 

 of the Spotted Flycatcher, or Beam-bird, which 

 shews the most singular habits of that bird in 

 selecting peculiar and odd situations for building. 

 The nest in question was found on the top of a 

 lamp near Portland Place, London, and had five 

 eggs in it, which had been sat upon. The top 

 of the lamp was in the shape of a crown, and the 

 nest was built in the hollow part of it, but per^ 

 fectly concealed. In consequence of the great 

 heat produced by the gas, the four props which 

 supported the ornamental crown became unsol- 

 dered, and a complaint having been made to the 

 authorities for lighting the streets, the top of the 

 lamp, with the nest in it, was brought to them. 

 The nest was composed of moss, hair, and fine 

 grass. It is not a little curious that it should 

 have been found in such a situation, and with so 

 great a degree of heat under it. Mr. White says 



