212 DENTIROSTRES. 



colour of the legs lighter, like those of the autumnal moult. 

 Between the male and female there is no distinction at this 

 period. 



The Pied Fly-catcher is found over most parts of Europe, 

 and is consequently a well-known species, although it is most 

 abundant in the more southern parts, as Greece, Italy, the 

 south of France, etc. ; more to the north, they are found 

 only during the summer months, that period when the winged 

 insects that constitute their food are abundant. The arrival 

 of the males is generally found to precede that of the females 

 by a few days, in countries where they are regular summer 

 visitants^ 



The favourite haunt of this bird is woodland, in the neigh- 

 bourhood of lakes and rivers, the chief localities where insects 

 abound. During very hot and dry weather they resort to 

 the tops of large trees, where they find insects swarming, 

 and, unlike the preceding species, occasionally take them 

 from off the leaves. 



In spring and autumn they descend to smaller trees and 

 shrubs, but are very rarely seen upon the ground. The Pied 

 Fly-catcher is a scarce bird in England, and its appearance 

 is chiefly confined to the counties of Cumberland and West- 

 moreland, and, according to Selby, the West Riding of York- 

 shire ; in other parts it is rarely seen. It appears probable, 

 that the few that visit England are but stragglers from the 

 outskirts of the flights that annually migrate to and from 

 the north of Europe. 



The Pied Fly-catcher builds in holes in large trees, 

 particularly in the oak, the beech, and the aspen. The 

 nest is sometimes placed in the deserted hole of a titmouse 

 or woodpecker, which is not wider than is sufficient to allow 

 their bodies to pass through ; where the holes exceed this 

 measure these birds are said to close them up with clay to 

 the size required ; and the height chosen is never less than 



