INSESSORES. 25 



though in others scarce. It generally builds in 

 enclosures and gardens, a favourite site being the 

 branch of a peach or pear-tree against a wall. It is 

 a fearless bird, usually allowing a near approach 

 before taking flight, and then often it will return to 

 the perch it has just left, or alight again at a little 

 distance from it. One day in July I was much in- 

 terested in watching a Spotted Flycatcher feeding 

 her young. The little family, four in number, were 

 perched upon a low bough of an elm, and huddled so 

 close together that it was difficult to make them out 

 until the old bird brought food, when their bills 

 were opened simultaneously. The parent bird 

 alighted in the road, and after a few seconds appa- 

 rent rest, darted into the air, seized a fly, and then 

 flew straight with it to the bough where her young 

 were. This was repeated as long as I remained 

 there, the old bird invariably alighting in the road, 

 and with one motion seizing a fly and conveying it 

 to its destination. Hence I was unable to ascertain, 

 and have not yet discovered, whether the bird 

 walks or hops, for it always rose from the spot where 

 it alighted. It is a very silent bird, and I have never 

 heard it utter any song. 



Mr. Jesse, in the second part of his ' Gleanings,' 

 mentions a nest of this Flycatcher which was found 

 fixed in the ornamental crown on the top of a lamp 

 near Portland Place in London, containing five eggs 

 which had been sat upon ! 



D 



