Passeres 



65 



from May to September, while it ranges over the 

 Palsearctic region eastwards to Lake Baikal and Dauria, 

 except the extreme north. The low but pleasing song 

 and the sharper call-note are familiar to most of us, 

 and may even be heard in London ; but this confiding 

 bird is best known from its habit of sitting on a post, 



Spotted Flycatcher 



stake, or the outer branch of a tree, whence it is con- 

 stantly darting out after the insects which it captures on 

 the wing. Thus it is often termed Post-bird, and another 

 name is Beam-bird, from its fancy for a beam on which 

 to place its nest. More common sites, however, are 

 creepers on buildings, hollows in broken or pollard 

 trees, and holes in walls, besides many curious positions. 



E. B. 5 



