38 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



" Cherry-chopper/' and " Cherry-sucker/' names all show- 

 ing considerable powers of observation. 



This little bird, although of apparently solitary tastes, 

 is by no means of a shy or retiring disposition, and is most 

 commonly met with in gardens, orchards, shrubberies, and 

 well cultivated districts. It delights to haunt the borders 

 of woods, parks, and pleasure - grounds, and similar 

 places not far removed from the habitation of man. 

 It certainly gives the casual observer the impression of 

 being dull and mopish, as its attitude when perched on 

 the top of some fence or the extremity of a branch is 

 listless and seemingly meditative; but a very short 

 observation will suffice to dispel this idea, for let some 

 wandering fly or other winged insect venture within a 

 reasonable distance and the Fly-catcher is after it like a 

 flash. As a rule it captures its food rapidly and neatly, 

 a distinct snapping of the beak plainly indicating the 

 success of its short journey. After securing a morsel in 

 this way the bird either returns to the post it had 

 occupied or alights on a similar point of vantage close at 

 hand. The names Cherry-sucker and Cherry-chopper have 

 undoubtedly been suggested by the bird's great partiality 

 for the vicinity of fruit trees, which naturally afford a 

 good supply of the insects and moths upon which it almost 

 exclusively feeds. According to some authorities it also 

 feeds on berries in the autumn, but we have never noticed 

 it eating fruit of any kind, and think it very improbable. 



The song of the Fly-catcher is not very melodious or 

 long sustained, and has been not inaptly described as " a 

 weak chirp, having something in it which attracts 

 attention/' 



The nest varies considerably in construction, and is 



