THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



Although not exactly a social bird, several pairs frequently 

 nest in the near vicinity of each other. The nest is a 

 simple one, loosely put together, cup-shaped, and formed 

 of dry grass, dead leaves, and moss, lined with roots, 

 horsehair, wool, and less frequently feathers. The six 

 or eight eggs are pale blue. 



The adult male Pied Flycatcher has the general colour 

 of the upper parts black, palest on the rump, and there is a 

 white patch on the forehead ; the wings are brown, the 

 central coverts white, and the inner secondaries margined 

 with white ; the under parts are white. Bill black ; 

 tarsi and toes black; irides brown. Length 5^ inches. 

 The female is brown where the male is black, and the 

 under parts are not quite so pure a white. The nestling 

 is profusely spotted with buff on the upper parts, and the 

 under parts are irregularly marked with dark brownish 

 black. 



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