SOME SKY SJVEEPERS 285 



with which we have to do is the one you have just 

 seen. He belongs to the guild of Sky Sweepers. 



" But do not try to write anything down while we 

 are driving over this rough road ; the surrey jolts too 

 much. You need only listen now, and Olive will help 

 you with your note-books to-morrow." 



THE KINGBIRD 



" How the winged insects must hate a Kingbird, who 

 is a real tyrant over them, and must seem very cruel ! " 

 continued the Doctor. " He sits on a rail or wire, and 

 suddenly — flip, snap ! a fly is caught — flip, snap I a 

 wasp dies. All day long he is waging war, and help- 

 ing us in our never-ending battle Avith the bugs. 



" If he happens to fancy a rose-bug or juicy ant, he 

 dashes to the leaf or grass-blade on which the insect 

 is crawling, hovers a moment in the air to take aim, 

 and then snatches the bug off. So clever is he that 

 when he eats bees, as he sometimes does, he seldom 

 takes the honey-makers, but mainly the drones ; per- 

 haps he is afraid of being stung." 



'•'• What is a drone. Uncle Roy? " asked Dodo. 



" A bee which does not work for its living and cannot 

 sting." 



" The Kingbird is proud of his nest, Avliich he often 

 confides to a maple on the edge of a garden, or to 3'our 

 pet pear tree. But let Hawks and Crows beware even 

 of tliinking about a Kingbird's nest ! For he loves his 

 home, and hates those who would injure it; and what 

 is more, he is not one l)it afraid of them. H tliey 

 come in sight he attacks tliem bravely, and drives them 



