Flycatchers.] 



MUSEUM OF ANIMATED NATURE. 



303 



very careful of their feathers for the sake of the works 

 in the fabrication of which they were used. 



Family MUSCICAPlDiE (FLYCATCHERS). 

 The Flycatchers approximate in many points to 

 the Todies ; the latter indeed are placed by Mr. 

 Swainson within the pale of this family, but not by 

 Mr. Vigors, who regards them as distinct. It is to 

 the dentirostral tribe that the Flycatchers belong. 

 They are characterized by a depressed beak, broad 

 at the base, and garnished with vibrissa?. The wings 

 are more or less rounded. The smaller species live 

 exclusively on insects, which they take on the wing, 

 launching from a branch, or other post of observa- 

 tion, and, having effected their capture, wheeling 

 abruptly round, and again settling on the same spot. 

 Our spotted flycatcher may be regarded as typical of 

 the family. 



1372, 1373 (a). — The Spotted Flycatcher 

 (Muscicapa grisola, Linn.). This is the Gobe- 

 mouche proprement dit of Buffon ; Gobemouche 

 gris of Temminck ; Fliegenf anger and Gefleckter 

 Fliegenfanger of the Germans ; Stoparola of Aldro- 

 vandus and Ray ; y Gwybedog of the ancient British ; 

 Spotted Flycatcher and (provincial) Beam-bird, 

 Rafter, Post-bird, &c, of the modern British. 



This pretty little bird is one of our summer visi- 

 tors. On the Continent it is very extensively spread, 

 advancing northwards even to the borders of the 

 arctic regions. In our island it arrives in May, and 

 departs at the close of September, or beginning of 

 October, rearing, as far as we have been able to 

 ascertain, only a single brood. 



The flycatcher is retired in its habits, frequenting 

 embowered retreats, shady gardens, orchards, and 

 groves, where the foliage affords it concealment ; 

 not indeed that it is timid, for if not rudely disturbed, 

 it will allow itself to be closely watched during the 

 performance of its aerial evolutions in the pursuit of 

 its insect food. It generally chooses for its perch 

 and observatory the bough of a fruit-tree, or one of 

 the lower branches of the elm, or other tree of tall 

 growth ; whence it takes short abrupt circling 

 flights, returning to the same, or an adjacent twig. 

 We have often observed these birds thus engaged, 

 darting in chace of their prey at almost regular inter- 

 vals, for half an hour together, and returning after 

 each flight to the same post of observation. 



The note of the flycatcher is a weak chirp, which 

 is seldom uttered after the production of its young. 

 The nest of this bird is built in different situations, 

 as convenience may dictate ; we have very fre- 

 quently seen it between the branch of a trained 

 fruit-tree and the wall, or in holes of the wall hid- 

 den by foliage. It will build also in the holes of 

 aged gnarled trees, upon the ends of beams in out- 

 houses, and in other appropriate places of conceal- 

 ment. The eggs are live in number, of a greyish 

 white, marked with pale orange-brown spots. When 

 the young are able to fly, the parents lead them to 

 some branch, and supply them with food ; but. they 

 soon learn to chase their own prey, and become 

 expert and quick in the pursuit. Pennant and other 

 writers state that the flycatcher is partial to cherries 

 and other fruit ; but this is unquestionably a mis- 

 take : we have had the opportunity of well investi- 

 gating the habits of this bird, and soft insects, as far 

 as our observations warrant, are its only food. We 

 have, however, had several times to plead in its 

 favour, for gardeners seem to think that all birds 

 devour fruit, and frequent the garden principally for 

 that purpose. 



The spotted flycatcher is about the size of the 

 redbreast. The crown of the head is brownish, ob- 

 scurely spotted with a deeper tint; all the upper parts 

 of the body are ash-brown or mouse-colour ; the 

 wings and tail more dusky. The whole of the under 

 surface is white, the throat, chest, and sides being 

 marked with narrow dashes of reddish brown. 



1373 (b). — The Pied Flycatcher 

 (Muscicapa luctuosa). This is a rare British species, 

 and though it has been supposed by some to be 

 indigenous, is certainly a bird of passage ; and Mr. 

 Selby is inclined to consider the few individuals met 

 with during the summer as birds driven out of the 

 track of their polar migration, and he adduces the 

 following fact in corroboration of his opinion :— " In 

 May, 1822, after a very severe storm of wind and 

 rain from the south-east, several of these birds made 

 their appearance in Northumberland, and I procured 

 specimens of both sexes, the males being in different 

 states of progress towards the summer's plumage. 

 As the weather continued cold for some days sub- 

 sequent to their appearance, they were obliged to 

 resort to dunghills and other warm situations for a 

 supply of their natural food. After remaining for 

 about a fortnight to recruit their strength, for at 

 first they exhibited great weakness, they all disap- 

 peared, nor could I ascertain lhat a single pair re- 

 mained in that neighbourhood during the season of 

 incubation." Notwithstanding this, we believe this 



species purposely visits our island, though it, is rare, 

 and restricted to certain localities, principally in 

 the midland counties. We once saw a pair in 

 Cheshire. Colonel Montagu remarks that great 

 numbers may be seen at Lowther Castle, Westmore- 

 land, where it has bred for many years. They are 

 said to arrive here about the middle of April. " The 

 males, soon after their arrival, should the weather 

 be favourable, will frequently sit for a considerable 

 period on the decayed branch of a tree, constantly 

 repeating their short, little varied, though far from 

 unpleasant, song, every now and then interrupted by 

 the pursuit and capture of some passing insect. 

 Their alarm note is not very unlike the word ' chuck,' 

 which they commonly repeat two or three times 

 when approached, and which leads to their detec- 

 tion." 



According to Temminck, this species is very 

 abundant in the southern provinces of Europe and 

 along the coasts of the Mediterranean ; it is found 

 in the central parts of France and Germany, and 

 also in Italy. In its manners it resembles the spotted 

 flycatcher, and breeds in the holes of decayed trees, 

 forming a nest of leaves, bark, and hay, lined with 

 hair and feathers. The eggs are five in number, of 

 a pale greenish blue. The moult of this bird is 

 double, occurring in autumn and again in spring. 

 In autumn the male assumes a livery like that of 

 the female, but in spring he puts on a brighter 

 dress; the forehead, and a band across each wing, 

 occupying the greater coverts, are pure white, as is 

 the under surface of the body ; general plumage 

 above, black. In the female (and male, in winter) 

 the forehead is of a dull dirty white, and the upper 

 parts are blackish grey. Length, five inches. This 

 is the Gobemouche-becfigue of the French ; and in 

 October numbers are killed in the south of Europe 

 for the table, together with an allied species, the 

 Muscicapa albicollis. 



1374.— The Fan-tailed Flycatcher 

 {HMpidura flabellifera). Muscicapa flabellifera, 

 Gmelin. This beautiful species is a native of New 

 Holland, where it is very common. Mr. Caley says 

 that it abounds about Paramatta, where he conjec- 

 tures it to remain stationary throughout the year. 

 It is insectivorous, and in its habits much resembles 

 our spotted flycatcher. It frequents, says Mr. 

 Caley, the small trees and bushes, from which it 

 darts suddenly at. its prey, spreading out its tail like 

 a fan, and to appearance turning over like a tumbler 

 pigeon, and then immediately returning to the same 

 twig or bough from which it sprang. These actions 

 it continues to repeat for a long time together. He 

 adds that the skin is very tender, and that when 

 taken off the body it is difficult to restore it to any- 

 thing like proper form. 



The genera] colour of this bird is brownish black ; 

 a stripe above the eye and a spot behind are white, 

 as are the throat and points of the wing-coverts ; 

 the tail is long, ample, and rounded, and the lateral 

 feathers composing it are more or less white, there 

 being some degree of variation in the extent to 

 which this colour pervades them. Under parts, fer- 

 ruginous white. It is principally in the form of the 

 tail and the length of the wings that the difference be- 

 tween the genera Rhipidura and Muscicapa consists. 



1375.— The Nest oe a species or Flycatcher. 



This woven nest is figured by Le Vaillant in his 

 ' Birds of Africa :' — " It is, I believe," he writes, " the 

 nest of the Tchitrec (Muscicapa crihtata, Latham) ; 

 for though I have never captured the bird of this 

 species on the nest, and am not therefore certain of 

 the fact, my good Klass, a faithful, if not a pro- 

 found observer, assured me that it was. In one of 

 our journeys through a wood of mimosas, in the 

 country of the Caft'res, he discovered and brought 

 me this nest, having seen, he said, and particularly 

 observed a male and female tchitrec occupied in 

 constructing it. It is remarkable for its peculiar 

 form, bearing a strong resemblance to a small horn 

 suspended with the point downwards, between two 

 branches. Its greatest diameter was two inches, 

 whence it gradually diminished." It was composed 

 of a close and laboriously woven tissue of slender 

 threads, taken from the bark of certain shrubs ; the 

 depth of the cavity for containing the eggs was not 

 more ihan three inches; and beyond this extended 

 the conical mass of felt. 



To the group of flycatchers helongs the Kingbird 

 of America (Tyrannus intrepidus), so celebrated for 

 its spirit, and its daring attacks upon eagles, hawks, 

 crows, &c, during the time of breeding, while the 

 patient female is brooding over her eggs. We may 

 also enumerate the genus Phsenicomis, by some con- 

 sidered, and perhaps correctly, as belonging to the 

 next family ; as is also Tyrannus. 



Family LANIAD^ (SHRIKES). 



This family comprises a numerous and widely-dis- 

 persed assemblage of birds, all of insectivorous 

 habits, and many of even carnivorous appetite ; 



attacking small birds and quadrupeds, and display- 

 ing unexpected ferocity of disposition. The beak 

 is strong, decidedly toothed, compressed laterally, 

 and often hooked at the tip. The claws are fine 

 and sharp. These birds take their prey, like the 

 flycatchers, by darting suddenly upon it from some 

 post of observation, and in other respects approach 

 the Muscicapidas, of which some of the groups, viz., 

 Tyrannus and Pha;nicornis, &c, are by many natu- 

 ralists placed within the pale of the Laniadaa, as we 

 have already stated. Fig. 1376 represents the Head 

 and Foot of the Lanius Excubitor, or Butcher-Bird, 

 one of the typical species. Fig. 1377 represents 

 the Head of one of the Drongo Shrikes (Tephrodornis 

 superciliosus) ; and 1378 the Head of one of the 

 genus Telophonus. 



1376. — The Butcher-Bird 



{Lanius Excubitor). This is the Castrica palombina 

 and Averla maggiore of the Italians ; the Pie 

 Grieche grise and Pie grisatre of the French ; Torn- 

 Skade of the Danes ; Warfogel of the Swedes ; Kla- 

 vert of the Norwegians ; the Berg-Aelster, Grossere 

 Neuntoder, and Gemeine Wurger of the Germans ; 

 Greater Butcher-Bird or Mattagess of Willughby; 

 Mountain Magpie, Murdering Pie, Great "Grey 

 Shrike, Shreek, and Shrike of the modern British, 

 and Cigydd Mawr of the ancient British. 



This bird is only an occasional visitor to the 

 British Islands. Mr. Selby observes, that by most 

 British ornithologists it has been mentioned as arriv- 

 ing in spring, and departing in autumn, which 

 would imply that it breeds in this country, and is a 

 regular periodical visitant: — " from this view of its 

 habits I must be permitted to dissent ; all the speci- 

 mens that have come under my observation having 

 been killed in the months of November, December, 

 and January." We know not how to reconcile 

 this with the following passage (by J. Rennie, Esq., 

 A.M.) in the ' Library of Entertaining Know- 

 ledge—Architecture of Birds,' p. 3 : — " A gentle- 

 man, who was fond of reading Buffon, and similar 

 works on natural history, but who seldom looked 

 into the great book of nature itself, expressed to us 

 his doubts of the account originally given by Heck- 

 welder of the Butcher-bird sticking insects on the 

 point of a thorn, as a bait to allure small birds 

 within its reach. He never thought, however, of 

 disproving or ascertaining the circumstance, and 

 was surprised beyond measure to be informed that 

 at least one species of the Butcher-bird (Lanius 

 Collurio) was as common in his immediate neigh- 

 bourhood as the song-thrush, and therefore oppor- 

 tunities of observing its manners could not be want- 

 ing. To satisfy ourselves, as well as to settle the 

 doubts of our friend, we undertook to watch the 

 proceedings of the species just named, as also of 

 the great Butcher-bird (Lanius Excubitor), both 

 of which are so common that we found half a dozen 

 of the nests of each within five miles of Lee, in 

 Kent. We discovered that near those nests large 

 insects, such as humble bees, and also that the un- 

 fledged nestlings of small birds, were stuck upon the 

 thorns." Fig. 1380 represents the nest. For our- 

 selves we have never seen the Lanius Excubitor in 

 a state of nature, nor indeed were we aware that it 

 was anywhere common in England, or that it bred 

 here. In France and the middle and southern dis- 

 tricts of Europe it is tolerably abundant, and does 

 not appear to be a bird of true migratory habits. 

 The butcher-bird feeds upon mice, shrews, small 

 birds, frogs, lizards, and large insects. Its larger 

 victims it kills by striking them on the head with 

 its beak, and then either holding them in its sharp 

 claws and pulling them to pieces, in the manner 

 of hawks, or, as is most usual, fixing them on a 

 thorn ; it does the same with insects, not however 

 to allure birds but to secure its prey. Mr. Selby 

 says, "I had the gratification of witnessing this ope 

 ration of the Shrike upon a hedge-sparrow (Accentor 

 modularis) which it had just killed, and the skin of 

 which, still attached to the thorn, is now in my pos- 

 session. In this instance, after killing the bird, it 

 hovered with the prey on its bill, a short time over 

 the hedge, apparently occupied in selecting a thorn 

 fit for its purpose. Upon disturbing it and advanc- 

 ing to the spot, I found the Accentor firmly fixed 

 by the tendons of the wing to the selected twig." 

 When kept in a cage the butcher acts in a similar 

 manner, and twists his victim in the wires, so as to 

 secure it while he tears it to pieces. We have seen 

 the New Holland butcher-bird (Vanga destructor) 

 in captivity act in the same manner, and after 

 strangling a mouse, or crushing its skull, double 

 it through the wires of its cage, and with every de- 

 monstration of savage triumph proceed to tear it 

 limb from limb, and devour it. By way of digres- 

 sion we may here observe that this bird had the 

 talent of imitation, and had learned to sing several 

 bars ot airs with a lull-toned musical voice. It exe- 

 cuted the first part of ' Over the Water to Charlie ' 

 with a spirit that would have gone to the heart of an 

 old Jacobite. 



