PIED FLYCATCHER.

Muscicapa luctuosa, Temm.

Le Gobe-mouche becfigue.

In the British Isles this interesting little bird is exceedingly local in the districts it chooses for its periodical
visits. Arriving, on the return of spring, from the more congenial and warmer portions of the Old Continent,
it takes up its abode, not, as might be expected, in the southern parts of our island, but in the northern
and midland counties, especially Lancashire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire, finding probably either food or some
other inducement, of which we have no knowledge, that is suited to its wants. In France and Germany it
is far from being scarce ; but its most favourite tract is along the European shores of the Mediterranean, and
over the whole of Italy. In Holland, and, we believe, in Denmark, Sweden and Russia, it is never seen.

The Pied Flycatcher is a most active and unwearied pursuer of the insect tribes, being continually in
motion, darting at them as they pass, or searching after them among leaves and flowers. Whether it be for
the sake of the fruit itself, or for the insects which abound near the figs, certain it is, that from the circum-
stance of the bird being constantly found in the neighbourhood of fig trees, it has obtained the name of
Beccafico. Xt constructs a nest in the holes of trees, and lays from four to six eggs, of a uniform pale blue
colour.

WHITE-COLLARED FLYCATCHER.

Muscicapa albicollis, Temm.

Le Gobe-mouche 3a collier.

Axrnouan we have seen this species in a collection of British birds, and were informed that it was supposed
to have been killed in England, still we have every reason to believe that it seldom advances so far north as
England, or even the adjacent provinces of France or Germany ; it is in fact more strictly confined to the
central portion and Asiatic confines of Europe.

As regards the distinguishing characteristics of these two closely allied species, we may observe, that the
adults in the plumage of summer may be easily distinguished from each other by the absence in the former of
the entire collar round the neck ; but to render the description of both these species more complete, we beg
leave to translate the following passage from the valuable MJanuel @ Ornithologie of M. Temminck: “The
female of the two species, the males in their winter clothing, and the young, all resemble each other so closely
as frequently to deceive. They may be easily distinguished, except in the first species, by the little white
speculum which occupies the centre of the wing in JZ albicollis, whilst the wing is of one colour in
M. luctuosa ; secondly, by the lateral feathers of the tail, of which the two external have the edge whitish, more
or less spread, according to age, in JZ. albicollis, whilst in the MZ ductuosa the three lateral tail-feathers are
slightly bordered with white edges. The manner of living, the note or call, and the song of the male offer
very marked differences: the eggs also differ in colour. It is to M. Lotinguer that we are indebted for the
knowledge of the double moult which annually takes place in these birds.”

In winter, according to the above-quoted author, both these species lose the black plumage of summer, and
assume a uniform brown livery over all the upper parts, at which season the young, female and males,
resemble each other: on the return of spring they moult again, the males assuming’ their black livery.

In the month of October, and during the greater part of the winter, both these species collect in countless
flocks in Italy, where they are known by the common term of Beccafici, and at which time they are taken in
immense numbers for the table, being considered an especial luxury.

The eggs of M. albicollis are greenish blue spotted with brown.

The Plate represents a male and female of AZ ductuosa, and a male of M. albicollis, of the natural size, in

the plumage of summer.