277 



out perches and, so keen is their sight, that they will note 

 passing insects at a distance of fifty yards and dash out to 

 seize them^ — a loud snapping of the mandibles testifying 

 to their success and of the demise of another insect. 



Many winged insects enter into their bill-of-fare. Large 

 grasshoppers, dragonflies, cicadas, etc., are favorites and 

 are even fed to the little kingbirds while in the nest. 



Figs. 240, 241 She fed them spiders, millers, small ivasps, 

 dragon-flies, etc. 



Arkansas Kingbird. 



The Western or Arkansas Kingbird is a very different 

 bird from our eastern one in appearance. Its underparts, 

 instead of being white, are yellowish and the back is gray 

 instead of being slate-colored. This species is common west 

 of the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. Neither 

 their natures nor their nesting habits differ materially from 

 those of our common bird. The one show^n in the illustra- 

 tion chose an eave-through in which to place her home; it 

 certainly was on a secure foundation but she failed to reckon 

 on the sun that was to shine on the nest for about eight 



