THE SPOTTED FLY-CATCHER. 177 



well as day, flying alternately with rapidly repeated strokes of the 

 pinions, and a smooth, gliding motion, that is apparently produced with- 

 out the slightest effort. The flesh of this species is delicate and much 

 esteemed in Louisiana. Nuttall owned one who swallowed berries 

 whole ; grasshoppers were pounded and broken on the cage floor. 



OF THE FLY-CATCHERS IN GENERAL. 



THE characters of this genus are, a bill flatted at the base, almost 

 triangular, notched at the end of the upper mandible, and beset with 

 bristles. The toes in most of the species are divided as far as the 

 origin. 



THE SPOTTED FLY-CATCHER. 



The length of this species is about four inches and three quarters: 

 the bill is dusky and beset with short bristles : the head and back are 

 light brown, obscurely spotted with black : the wings and tail are dusky, 

 and the former edged with white: the breast and belly are white: the 

 throat, sides, and feathers under the wings, are tinged with red; and 

 the legs are black. 



This is one of the most mute, and most familiar of all the English 

 summer birds. It visits them in spring, rears its young-ones, and 

 leaves tjrie country in September. 



Mr. White says, that a pair of these birds built every year in the 

 vines that grew on the walls of his house at Selborne. They one year 

 inadvertently placed their nest on a naked bough, perhaps in a shady 

 time, not being aware of the inconvenience that followed ; but a hot, 

 sunny season coming on before the brood was half fledged, the reflec- 

 tion of the wall became insupportable, and must inevitably have de- 

 stroyed the tender young-ones, hud not affection suggested an expe 

 dient, and prompted the parent birds to hover over the nest during 

 all the hotter hours; while with wings expanded, and mouths gaping 

 for breath, they screened off the heat from their suffering offspring. 



The female lays four or five eggs: the nest is carelessly made, and 

 consists chiefly of moss, mixed with wool and fibres, so strong, and 

 so large, (says M. de Buffon,) that it appears surprising how so small 

 an artificer could make use of such stubborn materials. When its 

 offspring are able to fly, it retires with them among the higher 

 branches of the trees, sinking and rising perpendicularly among the 

 flies which hum below. 



This bird feeds on insects, which it catches whilst on wing. It some- 

 times watches for its prey sitting on a branch or post, and, with a 

 sudden spring, takes it as it flies, and then immediately returns to its 

 station to wait for more. It is said, likewise, to be fond of some kinds 

 of fruit. It is generally believed to have no song. The Rev. Revett 

 Sheppard, however, informs me, that in the garden belonging to the 

 master of Caius College, Cambridge, a Spotted Fly-catcher used fre- 

 quently to sit on a rail, and entertain him with its notes, which, he 

 says, were very pleasing, and between those of a Wagtail and Wren. 



