BIRD BIOGRAPHIES 



from the Greater Antilles southward. It is common 

 in our southeastern states. 



THE following is an extract from Dr. Wetmore's in- 

 teresting description of the Gray Kingbird in the 

 bulletin, "Birds of Porto Rico," used with the permission 

 of the author: 



"The gray kingbird has the reputation among the coun- 

 try people of being tiie earliest riser among birds. In the 

 daytime it scatters along the slopes and through the fields 

 to feed, but at nightfall gathers in small parties along 

 streams to roost in the bamboos or in the mangroves sur- 

 rounding the lagoons. The nesting season extends from 

 April to July and during the latter month young are abun- 

 dant. At all times very pugnacious, pursuing blackbirds, 

 hawks, and other birds, they now become doubly so, re- 

 senting all intrusions in thedr neighborhood. Occasionally 

 they were seen standing on open perches during showers 

 with outspread trembling wings, evidently enjoying the 

 downpour. 



"A few facts regarding the insect food of this king- 

 bird were learned from field observation. Birds were 

 twice observed eating the caterpillars of a large sphinx 

 moth. These were beaten on a limb, and then the juices 

 were extracted by working the body through the bill, while 

 only the skin was discarded. Their services in eating 

 these and other caterpillars were recognized." 



[238] 



