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THE SPOTTED FLYCATCHER [Muscicapa Grisola. Ltnn:). 



The spotted Flycatcher, known also in some districts as 

 the "Beam bird" because it sometimes builds its nest on 

 beams in outbuildings, is, as its name signifies, a devourer of 

 insects. On account of its notorious insectivorous habits 

 it is called Gohemouche in France and Fliegenschnapper or 

 Flzegenfanger in Germany. It is a fairly common bird in 

 England and some parts of Ireland, but it is not so frequently 

 met with in Scotland. It arrives in this country at the be- 

 ginning of May. Gilbert White says it comes between 

 May loth and May 30th ; but Markwick in his calendar gives 

 the dates between the 25th of April and May 22nd. Other 

 naturalists say that it generally appears when the oak is in 

 leaf, which means that the date of its arrival in May depends 

 upon whether the season is backward or forward. Selby 

 says it seldom makes its appearance before the latter part of 

 May, or. until the woods are in complete foliage, when the 

 particular insects that compose its food are in full vigour and 

 maturity. Howard Saunders states that it has been observed 

 exceptionally in our eastern counties as early as April 23rd. 

 In Gilbert White's calendar the bird is recorded as departing 

 from these shores between September 6th and September 29th, 

 and these dates agree pretty closely with those given by 

 Markwick and other observers. 



The spotted Flycatcher frequents orchards, gardens, planta- 

 tions and woods, and the banks of streams. It feeds 

 exclusively upon insects, though it has been accused of eating 

 fruit by those who have seen it near cherries and raspberries 

 when in search of insects attracted by ripening fruit. Yarrell 

 states that no remains of fruit were found in the stomachs ot 

 Flycatchers which had been suspected of taking fruit, 



