KINGBIED 143 



fact, it has a special aversion to the egg-stealing Crow 

 and the black rascal has rough sailing when it ventures 

 across the border of the Kingbird's domain. I have re- 

 peatedly seen the fighter, in its vicious attack on a Crow, 

 actually light on the latter 's back, throw the plucked 

 feather into the air, and keep it up for fully a mile. All 

 the while the Crow was flying for dear life, acting quite 

 as though it felt it had made a great mistake in traveling 

 along that route that day. I am willing to wager it went 

 the other way next time. Yet, with all its reputation for 

 bravery and for fighting I have seen the tyrant put to 

 flight by the smallest of our birds, the audacious Ruby- 

 throated Hummingbird, with seemingly little effort. 



The pictures of the young birds were made after 

 they had left the nest and were able to fly a hundred 

 yards. (Fig. 70.) I captured them by throwing my focus- 

 ing cloth over them, then by gentle handling persuaded 

 them to pose for their photographs. Rest assured many 

 assaults were made on me by the old birds. Repeatedly, 

 my straw hat was knocked off as with bullet-like speed 

 they darted past my head, all the while screaming their 

 protest in the few words at their command. 



