acquaintance with this bird in Great Britain is confined 

 to having once seen it in Merioneth. I am, however, 

 intimate with this species from personal observation in 

 Spain, where it is very common in certain localities 

 during the summer months. 



In general habits the Pied Flycatcher closely re- 

 sembles our well-known Common or Spotted Flycatcher, 

 but is less addicted to the neighbourhood of man, and 

 frequently to be found in the wildest mountain soli- 

 tudes. In my experience I have found this bird 

 specially partial to old oak-woods in the vicinity of 

 running water. It is by no means shy or wary, and 

 very frequently nests close to a frequented footpath 

 or bridle-road. The nest is generally built in the 

 hole of an oak or other tree, frequently within reach 

 from the ground, and as frequently at a considerable 

 height ; often, also, in old w^alls, now and then in the 

 cranny of a rock. The materials usually consist of 

 moss, dead leaves, and feathers ; but the nest is less 

 compact and considerably slighter in bulk than that of 

 the Common Flycatcher. The eggs, from 5 to 6 in 

 number, are of a beautiful very pale blue, and are 

 hardly to be mistaken for those of any other British 

 bird. 



The Pied Flycatcher has a pleasant low song, very 

 distinct from the rarely heard musical efforts of our 

 other Flycatcher in the pairing-season. The present 

 species is widely distributed during the summer 

 throughout the Continent of Europe, and abounds in 

 Algeria. 



