THE KINGBIRD. 369 



twig to twig in the manner by which so many of the smaller birds as clearly 

 display their anxiety as tliey do by tlieir notes of distress."* 



No. 142. 



KINGBIRD. 



A. O. U. No. 444. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.). 



Synonyms. — E.^STRR^■ Kingbird. Bee M.arTin. Tyrant Flycatcher. 



Description. — Adult: Above ashy black changing to pure black on head, 

 and fuscuns on wings; crown with a concealed orange-red (cadmium orange) 

 patch or "crest," the orange feathers black-tipped and overlying others broadly 

 white at base ; wings with whitish and brownish ash edgings ; tail black, all the 

 feathers broadly white-tipped, and the outermost pair often white-edged ; below 

 white, washed with grayish on breast ; bill and feet black. Inunature birds lack 

 the crown-patch, and are more or less tinged with fulvous or buffy on the parts 

 wdiich are light-colored in the adult. Length 8.00-9.00 (203-228.6) : wing 4.60 

 (116.8) : tail 3.31 (84.1) ; bill from nostril .32 (13.2). 



Recognition Marks. — Chewink size; blackish ash above; zdiitc below; black 

 tail conspicuously tipped with white ; noisy and quarrelsome. 



Nesting. — Nest: at moderate heights in trees, usually over water, of weed- 

 stalks, plant-fibres and trash, with a felted mat of plant-down or wool, and an 

 inner lining of fine grasses, feathers, rootlets, etc. Eggs: 3 or 4, sometimes 5, 

 white or cream-white, distinctly but sparingly spotted with dark umber and 

 occasional chestnut. Av. size .98 x .73 (24.9x18.3). Season: first week in 

 Jmie; one brood. 



General Range. — North America from the British Provinces south ; in win- 

 ter thru eastern Mexico, Central and South America. Less common west of 

 the Rocky Mountains. Not recorded from northern Mexico and Arizona. 



Range in Washington. — Not uncommon summer resident on East-side; 

 not common, but of regular occurrence in certain localities west of the Cascades ; 

 nearly confined to vicinity of water in lake or pond. 



Authorities. — Tyrauiius caroliiieusis Baird, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv., 

 IX. pt. II. 1838, p. 171. T. C&S. D'. Ra. D^ Ss-. Ss-'. J. B. E. 



Specimens.— (U. of W.) Prov. P'. C. E. 



NO one has come forward with a theory to account for the testiness of 

 this bird's temper, nor for the domineering qualities which distinguish him 

 above all others; but I hazard that it is because his glowing crown is partially 

 concealed by bourgeois black. Those whose regal marks are more patent are 

 \vont to receive homage as matter of course, but the scion of an unacknowl- 



a. C. W. and J. H. Bowles in The Auk, Vol. XV., Apr., 



