274 LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS 



(c). The male King-bird is so well known for his pugnacity 

 from the time of mating until his young are reared, that it is 

 scarce!}^ necessary for me more than to allude to ihis important 

 trait in his character. He particularly dislikes Crows, whom 

 he often pursues for at least half a mile. As he generally 

 teases them by descending on their backs, he is frequently 

 obliged to mount to a considerable height in the air. From his 

 courage in driving away from his summer-home both hawks 

 and crows, he deserves protection among the farmers, and, 

 though he may occasionally feed upon bees, he destroys an 

 immense number of other winged insects, upon which he chiefly 

 depeiids for food. 



The King-birds are common summer-residents almost 

 throughout New England, but they inhabit principally culti- 

 vated lands and populated districts. They frequent orchards, 

 gardens, and fields, rarel}^ or never resorting to the woods. 

 On the contrary, they may often be seen immediately about 

 houses, especiall}^ on farms. The}' reach Massachusetts in the 

 second wpek of May, and leave it in September. They are 

 never, whilst here, strictl}' gregarious, but small parties of 

 three or four raaj' often be seen in spring. It is common to 

 see two males paying attentions to a female. The victorious 

 one soon after follows his mate to search for a building-site. 

 I am inclined to believe that among all birds the female has 

 most to do in the selection of a situation for her nest, as is 

 very natural, since she is generally the chief builder and oc- 

 cupant. 



The King-birds feed almost exclusively upon winged insects, 

 which they seize with a click of the bill, and in the manner of 

 all true flycatchers. The}' perch on some bough, fence, or wire, 

 carefull}' watching for their prey, then make a sally, and snap 

 up a fly or even several, often returning to their former post, 

 which is usually not far from the ground, being sometimes 

 merel}' the stalk of a weed. They also vary this mode of cap- 

 ture, by darting upon some insect in the grass, or l)y hovering 

 and skimming over the surface of the water. They usually 

 fly with a rapid, nervous beat of the wing, and frcqueully hover, 



