Fly

(Zool.) A name applied almost indiscriminately to all insects po e ing wings; being often extended to all insects of the sub-order DIPTERA, q. v., and often also restricted to the family MUSCIDE, q. v. The fly is characterized as po e ing a pair of veined and membranous wings, with two movable bodies called balancers ( hal teres ), placed a little behind them. The mouth is formed of between two and six setaceous pieces of scaly tex IMG:content-0211.png:[blocks in formation] ture, and these pieces are either inclosed in a proboscis like sheath, or covered by one or two lam inæ, which form it. The head is globular or hemispherical. The mouth is only formed for transmitting fluids, and is consequently very delicate in structure. The sucker performs the part of a la cet, and pierces the envelope of vegetable or animal fluids, in order to allow of the fluid itself being transmitted up into the mouth of the insect. The antennæ are united in front, and are approximated at the base. Above the true wings of the insect, and a little behind them, are the balancers or halteres ; these are almost membranous, and are furnished with two little knobs at their extremities, which are capable of dilatation. The legs of this cla of insects are long and slender; and the feet it is well known are furnished with skinny palms, to enable them to stick on gla and other smooth bodies by means of the pre ure of the atmosphere. (Mach.) That part of a machine which, being put in motion, regulates the rest. ( Naut .) That part of a compa on which the 32 points are drawn, and to which the needle is attached underneath; the compa -card. (Printing.) That part of the machinery of a printing pre , which withdraws the sheet, and lays it aside after the impre ion is made. Fly'bane, n. ( Bot .) See SILENE. Fly'-bitten, a . Marked from the bites of flies. Fly'blow, v . a . [Prov. Eng. blot , the egg of a maggot.] To deposit an egg in anything, as a fly. To taint, as with the eggs that produce maggots. -n. The egg of a fly. Fly'boat, n. [Fr. flibot ; Dut. vlieboot .] A light, swift kind of boat used on canals. A flat-bottomed ve el, peculiar to Holland, used mostly in the coasting-trade. Fly'-book, n. A case in the form of a book used by anglers to contain artificial flies. ( Zool .) The Muscicapidæ, an extensive family of birds, order In se ores , represented in N. America by abt. 30 species. As their name implies, the fly-catchers prey on insects, which they seize in mid-air. They have the beak horizontally depre ed, and armed with bristles at its base, with the point more or le decurved and emarginated. The value of the insectivorous family of birds to man is incalculable. As Buffon truly says: "Vain would be the efforts of man to destroy or banish the clouds of flying insects by which he would be a ailed. Man and quadrupeds cannot defend themselves against them. They attack with their stings; they oppose the progre of cultivation, and devour the useful productions of the earth. They infect with their excrement, or their eggs, all the provisions which are nece ary to be preserved. Thus we find that the beneficent birds are not even sufficiently numerous in such climates, where, neverthele , their species are by far the most multiplied." One of the best types of flycatchers is that presented by the Tyrant Fly-catcher, King-bird or Bee-martin, Muscicapa Tyrannus , or Tyran nus Carol in ens is. This bird is peculiar to America east of the Rocky Mountains. It is 8 inches in length, and 14 in extent of wing. The general color of the upper parts is a dark bluish-gray, inclining to dull slate-black, on the head of which the central feathers along the crown form a gorgeous orange patch. It builds its nest on branches of trees; it is a rather bulky structure, composed of twigs and wool, or tow and cotton, and is very thick and snug. It scarcely deserves its ugly appellation, as it is only at those pe riods when its mate is attached to the nest by care for Fig . 1040. THE KING BIRD. her little brood, that this fly-catcher is more fierce or tyrannical than any other. At such times, however, it cannot be denied that his conduct is rather outrageous. No matter the species of bird, no matter its size or strength, it is sufficient that it approaches any way near the tyrant's nest to excite his jealous rage, and out he sallies bent on instant satisfaction. It is said that eagles and hawks may not with impunity approach this bird's nest, made sacred by his fledglings, and that, darting up into the air, it will launch down on to the back of its enemy, and there anchor in such a way as to make it a difficult matter to dislodge him. The European species, Muscicapa grisola , the Beam-bird or Bee-bird, is distinguished from any other by having much more slender bills, with shorter bristles at the gape. Fly Creek, in New York , a post-office of Otsego co. Fly'er, n. See FLIER. Fly'-fish, v. n. To use flies for bait in angling. Fly'-fishing, n. The act or practice of using natural or artificial flies for bait in angling.