260 



THE SPOTTED FLT-CATVHER. 



received several local names in allusion to its habits, the titles Wall Bird and Beam Bird 

 being those by which it is most frequently designated. It is one of the migrating birds, arriv- 

 ing in northern countries at a rather late season, being seldom seen before the middle or even 

 towards the end of May. The reason for this late arrival is probably that, if the bird were to 

 make an earlier appearance, the flying insects on which it feeds would not be hatched in suffi- 

 cient numbers to insure a proper supply of food for itself and young. It has a rather vsdde 

 range of locality, having been observed in different parts of Europe, and extending its flight 

 even to Southern Africa. 



This bird is fond of haunting parks, gardens, meadows, and shrubberies, always choosing 

 those spots where flies are most common, and attaching itself to the same perch for many 





SPOTTED and PIED FIA'-C.\T(JHER.-jl/Mc'iaij>a gnsola and atricapiUa. 



days in succession. AVhen the Fly -catcher inhabits any place where it has been accustomed 

 to live undisturbed, it is a remarkably trustful bird, and permits the near approach of man, 

 even availing itself of his assistance. 



I well remember a curious instance of this exceeding tameness on the part of one of these 

 birds. In the grounds of a large estate I was sitting in a gig, waiting for a friend, and as tlie 

 sun was shining very powerfully, I moved the vehicle rmder the shade of a tree. On one of the 

 lower branches a Fly-catcher was sitting, patching the flies, and occasionally fluttering in chase 

 of an insect, and then returning to its itost in true Fly-catcher fashion. After watching the 

 bird for some little time, I struck with my whip at a clover-blossom, thereby starting a number 

 of flies, which rose into the air. To my surprise, the bird instantly left the branch, darted among 

 the flies, captured one of them , and returned to its perch. I again drove some flies into the 

 air with the whip, and again the bird came and snapped them up within stroke of the lash. 

 This proceeding was continued until my friend rejoined me and we drove away, leaving the 

 bird in sole possession. 



The Spotted Fly-catcher builds a very neatly made nest, and is in the habit of fixing its 

 home in the most curious and unsuspected localities. The hinge of a door has on more than one 

 occasion been selected for the purpose, and in one instanc^e the nest retained its position although 

 the door was repeatedly opened and closed, until a more severe shock than ordinary shook 



