Family MUSCICAPIDi?;. 



THE SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. 



Muscicapa grisola, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 14. 



This is one of the later summer migrants, usually arriving about the middle of 

 May. It is fairly common in most parts of the British Islands, and has a wide 

 distribution throughout Europe, wintering in Africa. 



The nest of the Spotted Flycatcher is usually placed in a creeper or fruit tree 

 trained on a wall, or on the trunk of a large tree ; but various and sometimes 

 curious sites are selected. 



It is composed of fibrous roots, moss, &c., and lined with wool and hair ; and 

 contains from four to six eggs. These are bluish-white or greenish in ground 

 colour, marked with reddish-brown. 



Its food consists of flies and other insects, although in autumn berries are 

 sometimes eaten. 



The Spotted Flycatcher has a little low-toned song, which is not often heard, 

 but its rather sharp call-note is frequently uttered. This bird is fond of gardens 

 and parks where there are tall, old trees, and when feeding, takes up its station on 

 a bough or post, from which it darts after any passing insect, the snap of its bill 

 being often heard as the prey is secured. 



The sexes are alike in colour. 



92 



