148 ON THE PIED FLYCATCHER. 
without quitting the carriage road, five males at five 
separate stations, which were distinctly marked by 
large pollard ashes partially decayed. To these spots 
the birds were evidently much attached, reluctantly 
retiring from them to a short distance when greatly 
disturbed, and immediately returning again when the 
cause of their alarm was removed. This circumstance 
led me to suppose that they had nests; and, as I did 
not observe a single female, it is probable that they 
were engaged in incubating their eggs or in brood- 
ing their young. The males were all in full song, 
and their notes, which were sometimes, though rarely, 
delivered on the wing, were lively and pleasing. 
Ornithologists do not seem to be acquainted with 
the extent of the vocal powers possessed by this 
species. According to Dr. Latham (‘General His- 
tory of Birds,’ vol. vi.), Mr. Bolton, the author of 
‘Harmonia Ruralis,’ has remarked that the song of 
the male, which is heard in the breeding-season, re- 
sembles that of the Spotted Flycatcher, but that it is 
more sprightly and energetic. The comparison is an 
unfortunate one, and may have induced a belief that 
the Pied Flycatcher has no song whatever, as the 
spotted species is one of our most silent birds. I 
am happy, therefore, in being able to claim for the 
Pied Flycatcher a place among British Singing Birds. 
Montagu and Latham have regarded the Pied 
Flycatcher as indigenous to England: several di- 
stinguished ornithologists, on the other hand, have 
