acquaintance with this bird in Great Britain is confined
to having once seen it in Merioneth. I am, however,
intimate with this species from personal observation in
Spain, where it is very common in certain localities
during the summer months.
In general habits the Pied Flycatcher closely resembles
our well-known Common or Spotted Flycatcher,
but is less addicted to the neighbourhood of man, and
frequently to be found in the wildest mountain solitudes.
In my experience I have found this bird
specially partial to old oak-woods in the vicinity of
running water. It is by no means shy or wary, and
very frequently nests close to a frequented footpath
or bridle-road. The nest is generally built in the
hole of an oak or other tree, frequently within reach
from the ground, and as frequently at a considerable
height; often, also, in old walls, now and then in the
cranny of a rock. The materials usually consist of
moss, dead leaves, and feathers; but the nest is less
compact and considerably slighter in bulk than that of
the Common Flycatcher. The eggs, from 5 to 6 in
number, are of a beautiful very pale blue, and are
hardly to be mistaken for those of any other British
bird.
The Pied Flycatcher has a pleasant low song, very
distinct from the rarely heard musical efforts of our
other Flycatcher in the pairing-season. The present
species is widely distributed during the summer
throughout the Continent of Europe, and abounds in
Algeria.