MUSCICAPID,E. 169 



clread an encounter with tliis dauntless little champion, 

 who, as soon as he perceives even one of these last ap- 

 jiroaching, launches out into the air to meet him, mounts 

 to a considerable height above him, and darts down on his 

 back, sometimes fixing there, to the great annoyance of 

 his sovereign, who, if no convenient retreat or resting- 

 place be near, endeavours in vain to rid himself of his 

 merciless adversary. He teases the Eagle incessantly, 

 sweej^s npon him from right to left, remounts, that he 

 may descend on his back with greater violence, all the 

 while keeping up a shrill and rapid twittering, and con- 

 tinuing the attack, sometimes for more than a mile, till 

 he is relieved by some other of his tribe, equally eager for 

 the contest." This quarrelsome demeanour is laid aside 

 by the King- bird at the close of the breeding season, and 

 he then becomes a peaceable denizen of the wood or of the 

 orchard. The nest of the Tyrant Flycatcher is built on 

 the branch of a tree, and composed of small twigs and 

 dried flowers, interwoven with hemp and wool, and made 

 very compact : the lining consists of fine grass and horse- 

 hair. The eggs, which are usually five in number, are 

 cream-coloured, with a few large purple spots, and small 

 pale-l)rown markings, chiefly at the larger end. The only 

 s(^ng of this bird is a shrill twitter. His food consists 

 ])rinci})ally of insects, which he captures, sometimes by 

 flying steadily over the fields, and sometimes in the manner 

 of the ordinary Flycatcher, by taking his position on the 

 summit of a post or rail, and sweeping ofi:' after them as 

 they pass. 



The typical form of this group of birds is — 



The Lizard-eater {Saurophagus lictor). 



