Kingbird 261 



In Colorado the Kingbird Ls a summer resident, chiefly on the plains 

 and eastern foothills up to about 7,000 feet. It arrives at Colorado 

 Springs about the first week in May, and is quite common on the plains ; 

 it has been recorded from an elevation of 7,500 feet at Idaho Springs 

 by Trippe, and Frey has taken a pair, May 15th, at Salida. It is said 

 to breed in Middle Park, but it is not common in the mountains. In 

 Baca CO., in the south-eastern corner of the State, Warren found it by 

 no means common, while in Routt co. he saw it on several occasions 

 between Steamboat Springs and Lay. 



Habits. — ^The Kingbird is well kno\\'n for its bold and 

 fearless characteristics, and for its pugnacity towards 

 birds larger and stronger than itself. It has been seen 

 by Aiken to attack even so large a bird as Swainson's 

 Hawk, flying above it and alighting on its shoulders and 

 pecking out its feathers. 



The food of the Kingbird consists almost entirely of 

 insects of various kinds, chiefly taken on the wing. 

 It has been accused of killing honey-bees, and indeed 

 is often known as the Bee-Martin or Bee-bird, but the 

 investigations of the Agricultural Department have 

 shown that its propensities in this respect have been 

 greatly exaggerated, and in only a small percentage of 

 the stomachs examined did bees occur, and these 

 mostly drones. 



The nest, generally placed m the crotch of a tree, often 

 in an orchard or near a dwelling-house, is well built, chiefly 

 of twigs with a lining of hair or wool, and is often occupied 

 several successive years. The male assists in incubation 

 and in the construction of the nest. 



The eggs, three or four in number, measure "95 x '12, 

 and are white to pale pink, varyingly blotched with 

 brown or lavender. In Colorado the eggs are usually 

 laid about the middle of June. Bendire figures an egg 

 from a clutch taken by Dennis Gale at Gold Hill, in 

 Boulder co., on June 25th, while Dine gives June 12th 

 as an average date for fresh eggs. 



