MUSCICAPIDJS. 91 



undisturbed in the early morning, they have a most beautiful 

 wild rich song." It is an easy bird to recognize when once seen 

 on the wing, the chestnut of the wing-coverts and the long tail 

 being very conspicuous. 



Favier states that they cross the Straits ; all I can say is, I never 

 saw a Spanish specimen : if they do occur in Spain, they are as 

 yet unobserved by any competent ornithologist. 



Crown black ; broad white eye-stripe, with black stripe below. 



Wing-coverts chestnut ; below dark ash-grey. Tail much graduated, 

 all the feathers, except the two light brown centre ones, black, tipped with 

 white. Length 9 inches, tail 4 inches. 



MUSCICAPID^B. Nostrils more or less covered by 



bristly hairs. 



90. Muscicapa grisola (Linnaeus). The Spotted Flycatcher. 



Spanish. Papamoscas, Pifiata. 



" This Flycatcher is very common near Tangier, where they 

 arrive in April and May in pairs and small nights, some remaining 

 to nest, the others passing across the Straits to return in 

 September, when they disappear. Near Rabat they are called 

 Sorsh by the Arabs." Favier. 



The Spotted Flycatcher is exceedingly numerous near Gibraltar, 

 chiefly nesting in the pine- woods, and was first seen on the llth 

 of May, 1870, on the 3rd of the same month in 1871, and on the 

 8th in 1874. The first egg obtained was on the 24th of the same 

 month. Verner found a nest with fully-fledged young on 3rd 

 of July, 1879. I regret not to have any note of their departure ; 

 but it is previous to the middle of September, and Verner informs 

 me that they leave about the end of August. 



Ashy brown above ; forehead lighter than head, which is mottled with 

 streaks of darker brown ; breast white, with brown streaks ; axillaries 

 fawn-coloured. 



Young. Spotted. Length 5 inches. 



