124 Muscicapidce. 



every summer in Holland, but, like its congener 'the red- 

 backed/ retreats to Africa for winter quarters. In habits, too, 

 it exactly resembles the preceding, but is easily distinguished 

 from it by the rich chesnut red on the crown of the head and 

 back of the neck. 



^>. 



MUSCICAPIDCE (THE FLYCATCHERS). 



These have also been termed ' Hawks among flies/ for on such 

 alone do they feed, and very interesting it is to watch one of these 

 active, quick-sighted little birds at its almost continual employ- 

 ment of providing itself food ; indeed, it would seem that it has 

 need of all its activity to satisfy the wants of itself and its nest- 

 lings, so diminutive is its prey, and so many victims are daily 

 needed. Taking its stand on the extreme end of some bough, 

 post, rail, or stone, the Flycatcher awaits the passing insect, which 

 its quick eye can discern at a considerable distance, and then to 

 sally forth after it, snap it up in its beak, and return to its former 

 station, is the work of an instant. The most prominent charac- 

 teristics of this family are the narrow compressed bill, with 

 sharp tip and strong bristles at the base, and the small size of the 

 feet. 



29. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa grisola). 



Very common indeed, and most regular in its arrival in the middle 

 of May, is this little brown, sober-coloured, quiet bird. We may 

 see it every day during the summer in our orchards, gardens, and 

 fields ; it does not arrive till late, for it awaits the time when the 

 insects which compose its food, the whole race of flies and gnats, 

 are in full vigour, and of these it clears off an incredible number. 

 It has been accused of destroying fruit, especially cherries, but, I 

 believe, entirely without foundation, owing to its unfortunate 

 similarity to another little bird, the Greater Pettichaps, whose 

 taste certainly does lie that way. The generic name Muscicapa 

 signifies the ' flycatcher,' and the specific grisola 'gray bird.' In 

 almost all European languages the name is similarly derived as 

 with us thus, in France, Gobe-mouche ; in Germany, Fliegen- 



