THE PIED FLYCATCHER. 43 



This bird is not of a shy disposition, as it approaches 

 buildings with freedom, and it is by no means an un- 

 common occurrence to find nests in the trees of gardens 

 situated within the precincts of towns and villages. 



The Pied Flycatcher lives principally upon winged 

 insects, which it secures in the same way as the Common 

 Flycatcher ; doubtless this diet may occasionally be varied 

 by a little indulgence in the smaller kinds of fruit, when 

 the temptation presents itself, but its depredations cannot 

 be taken into serious consideration. 



This bird is easily kept in confinement, and feeds readily 

 on the food usually given to Nightingales. As a captive, 

 it very soon becomes tame, and shows signs of attachment 

 and familiarity to its owner. 



It is found abundantly in the south of Europe, and 

 appears to be particularly partial to the coasts of the 

 Mediterranean ; it is a regular visitor to the central parts 

 of Germany and France, and is said to be met with both in 

 Norway and Sweden in the summer season. 



In some parts of England the Pied Flycatcher is known 

 as the " Goldfinch," but in our own opinion it very much 

 resembles the Pied Wagtail, as regards colour, at first sight, 

 but the tail is much shorter, and the habits are quite 

 different from those of that bird. 



In the breeding season the adult male has the beak 

 black, with a white patch over the base, on the forehead ; 

 irides, a dark brown ; upper part of the head and neck, in- 

 cluding the eyes, dark brownish-black; the back a decided 

 black ; wing primaries and secondaries, brownish-black ; 

 edges of the greater wing-coverts and the outer webs of the 

 tertials, pure white ; the tail partly black, parts of the outer 

 and second feathers being white; all the under portions 



