THE PIED FLYCATCHER. 



Muscicapa atricapillay Linnaeus. 

 Plate 14. 



The Pied Flycatcher is much less common than the Spotted Flycatcher, and 

 is very local in its distribution. It seems to be more frequently met with in the 

 Lake Districts of Westmorland and Cumberland, and in parts of Wales, where it 

 breeds regularly every year. 



It is rare in Scotland, whilst in Ireland only a few examples have been taken, 

 mostly at the lighthouses, on migration. 



It is widely spread over Europe during summer, and winters in Africa. 



The Pied Flycatcher usually builds its nest, composed of grass and roots, with 

 a lining of hair, in a hole in a tree or wall, and lays five or six very pale blue eggs. 

 Sometimes these are spotted with tiny specks of reddish-brown. 



Seebohm, describing this species in his book on British Birds (vol. i. pp. 329- 

 330), says : "In many of its movements the Pied Flycatcher resembles its dingy 

 congener. 



" Far more of a restless species than a shy one, it may frequently be seen hover- 

 ing, in butterfly-like flight, in the air. Sometimes it sits quietly on some decayed 

 limb, ever and anon uttering its call-notes and incessantly jerking its tail and 

 half opening its wings, as though anxious to sally into the air. Its food consists 

 almost entirely of insects, especially flies and gnats, which it often takes from 

 the leaves of the forest-trees whilst hovering daintily above them." 



94 



