96 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



to gather themselves into flocks during the month of September, 

 and after the end of October none are to be seen, search the 

 likeliest places as much as you will. From the middle of February 

 to the middle of April (according to the state of the weather) they 

 re-appear in flocks, which quickly break up and disperse. I have 

 seen a good many individuals about this time in a very dark, dingy 

 state of plumage, like that of the London Sparrows, as if they had 

 been staying in a smoky neighbourhood, which may easily have 

 been the case. I have noticed the same peculiaritj' about the 

 Sky Larks in spring, who leave us during the winter in much 

 the same way, but who do not leave the neighbourhood so 

 completely. 



Tree Pipit, A. trivialis, L. — A common summer visitor. 

 Earliest record, April 12, 1868; usually seen about the third 

 week in that month, leaving about the end of July. 



Spotted Flycatcher, Muscicapa grisola, L. — A common summer 

 migrant, appearing generally about the first week in May. Earliest 

 record, April 28, 1878. 



Pied Flycatcher, M. atncapilla, L. — An uncommon summer 

 visitor. I never came across it near Riding Mill until 1874, after 

 which I have seen it every year until 1878. On May 8, 1874, 

 I saw three pairs the same day by the Devil's Water. I found, 

 but did not take, the nest with three eggs, by the Devil's Water, 

 near Swallowship, in May, 1876. This bird should be looked 

 for by burn -sides early in May, where it resorts especially to 

 branches of trees which overhang the water. Late in May, 1883, 

 I saw a male in full breeding dress near Smithyburn, close to 

 Stockfield. I watched it for some time with my glass, and saw 

 it thrice peer into a hole in a dead oak-branch. Getting the 

 assistance of the woodman, and fetching a long ladder, with 

 considerable labour, from Bromley, I ascended the tree, sawed 

 off the branch with great care, and lowered it with a rope, the 

 bird showing himself at intervals, apparently in a state of great 

 agitation. I then descended to investigate. There was no nest 

 whatever, and I was obliged to come to the conclusion that the 

 bird had deliberately, seeing my object, "taken a rise" out of me. 

 At least I can think of no other exj^lanation for the interest he 

 took in that hole. I may mention that the Pied Flycatcher used 

 to breed regularly in the farmyard at Broadwood, near Lan- 

 chester ; the place selected was a pillar of masonry, which with 



