BLACK-BELLIED FLYCATCHER. 57 
Tchitrec (to which we propose, as a specific name, 
tlie very appropriate one of perspiciUata), we may 
conclude that what Le Yaillant says of the habits 
of that species will be generally applicable to this 
and to the rest. 
The sexes of the Tchitrec *, says this original ob- 
server, are rarely seen separated during the season 
of incubation ; they inhabit the forests, and are al- 
ways seen on high trees, seldom if ever descending to 
the shrubs and low bushes. The males are very pug- 
nacious, and sometimes five or six may be seen flying 
after each other in the season of pairing. The long 
tail-feathers, with which the males are then adorned, 
offers great facility to the combatants for spoiling 
the beauty of their adversaries. It would seem, 
from what Le Yaillant says, that they endeavour to 
seize each other by these long plumes, and if they 
are so fortunate as to succeed, they never loose their 
hold until the feather is broken off or a portion of 
it remains in their bills. Hence it becomes ex- 
ceedingly difficult for the sportsman to procure a 
male, at this season, with both of the two long 
feathers completely perfect. This injury to the tail 
is further occasioned by its being torn or mutilated 
by the rapid flight of these birds through the boughs 
and spiry branches, not only on the occasions just 
alluded to, but, according to our author, from the 
bird flying across such trees when hunting for flies, 
which it pursues incessantly +. (Quand l’oiseau vole 
* Le Vaill. Ois. d’Afrique, iii. pi. 206. 
t We give the original words of this passage, because it 
