HABITS OF THE KING BIRD. 



255 



but also oil account of the flame-colored crest which appears whenever the bird raises the 

 feathers of the head. 



The habits of this Fly-catcher are very remarkable, and have been so ably narrated by 

 Wilson, that they must be given in his own graphic language : 



"The trivial name, King, as well as Tyrant, has been bestowed on this bird for its 

 extraordinary behavior, and the authority it assumes over all others during the time of breed- 

 ing. At that season, his extreme affection for his mate, and for his nest and young, makes 

 him suspicious of any bird that happens to pass near his residence, so that he attacks, without 

 discrimination, any intruder. In the months of May and June, and part of July, his life is 

 one continued scene of broils and battles, in which, however, he generally comes off conqueror. 



KING BIRDS. Tyrannous caroliiiensi*. 



Hawks and crows, the bald eagle and the great black eagle, all equally dread a rencontre with 

 this dauntless little champion, who, as soon as he perceives one of these last approaching, 

 launches into the air to meet him, mounts to a considerable height above him, and darts down 

 upon his back, sometimes fixing there, to the great annoyance of his sovereign, who, if no 

 convenient retreat or resting-place be near, endeavors by various evolutions to rid himself of 

 his merciless adversary. 



" But the King Bird is not so easily dismounted. He teases the eagle incessantly, sweeps 

 upon him from right and left, remounts, that he may descend on his back with the greater 

 violence ; all the while keeping up a shrill and rapid twittering, and continuing the attack 

 sometimes for more than a mile, till he is relieved by some other of his tribe equally eager for 

 the combat. 



"There is one bird, however, which by its superior rapidity of flight, is sometimes more 



