SPOTTED FLYCATCHER. 
217 
Muscicapa grisola, Spotted Flycatcher. 
— M. grisola , Linn. 8{C. — Spotted Flycatcher of 
British authors . — The Spotted Flycatcher is the 
most abundant of the two British species, being 
very commonly distributed over England, and 
extending to the very north of Scotland, though 
it decreases in frequency as it reaches the extre- 
mity of the latter. It frequents gardens and 
lawns, and seems to draw near to cultivation. In 
Scotland, it may be often seen by the side of 
some sub-alpine stream with precipitous banks, 
and here, perhaps, are its more natural haunts 
and breeding place, those in the garden and 
the lawn being its more artificial state. In the 
former locality, the nest is placed against the 
stem of some old tree, or on the shelf of a rock, 
always, however, with a support on the one side. 
The approach to it is betrayed by the shrill 
monotonous note or click of the parents. They 
take up their stations, and do not remove far 
from them, and in general select the top of some 
bare branch as their favourite perch, where they 
sit motionless, or dart on and pursue the passing 
insects. These are frequently taken at a single 
dart, but are also sometimes pursued for a few 
yards, and when seized carried to the perch, and 
always held for a few seconds in the bill. We 
have frequently seen bees taken, but they do not 
seem to be in any way particularly sought after 
or hunted, though in some districts the bird has 
obtained the provincial appellation of “ Bee Bird.” 
