Wild Birds Useful andj Injurious. 
679 
ceptible. Another unusual occurrence was brought to my 
notice not long ago. All the eggs were taken from a flycatcher’s 
nest in an orchard, yet about a fortnight later the bird was found 
sitting on a second clutch of eggs in the same nest. The fly- 
catcher has been described as a silent bird, but its harsh note 
“ tzee-chuck ” is rather obtrusive than otherwise, and the young 
are clamorous when being fed. 
As its name implies, it feeds almost entirely on flies, gnats, 
and other winged insects, which it dexterously snaps up in the 
air. That few species of insects come amiss to it, may be in- 
ferred from the fact that it will catch large moths, such as the 
yellow-underwing, and it may also be seen endeavouring to 
capture white butterflies on the wing. It sometimes enters 
houses, attracted no doubt by the flies on the window-panes. 
It is said to take berries in autumn, and has been accused of 
eating cherries and raspberries. Dissection, however, has 
proved that the attraction is not the fruit itself, but the living 
creatures which are to be found upon it. 
The services of the spotted flycatcher in destroying swarms 
of insects, many of which either plague ourselves or injure our 
crops, are not marred by any mischievous propensities. The 
birds should therefore be encouraged, and their nests and eggs 
carefully protected. 
The Robin and Hedge-sparrow. 
The Robin, Redbreast, or Ruddock (Enthacus ruhecela) is 
the most familiar and favoured of all our birds. Its confiding 
disposition, sprightly appearance, and sweet song, aided by the 
almost superstitious sentiment with which it is regarded, have 
procured for it an unwonted freedom from persecution. Its 
nest is placed in any convenient nook, such as the corner of an 
outhouse, an old tin can, or a hole in a bank or tree. Some 
very odd situations have from time to time been selected. A 
very singular instance is that of a pair of robins, which reared 
their young in a pigeon-hole bookshelf in a schoolroom, not- 
withstanding the daily presence of seventy children. The 
nest is often conspicuous, owing to the abundance of dead leaves 
used in its construction ; but at times it is exceedingly care- 
fully hidden. The robin becomes almost domesticated if its 
comforts are attended to ; and will closely approach anyone 
digging in the garden, for the sake of the worms turned up by 
the spade. In addition to its confiding nature and brisk appear- 
ance, it possesses two less attractive traits, for it must be ad- 
mitted that it is very pugnacious and extremely greedy. 
VOL. m. T. s. — 12 3 A 
