No sooner has incubation commenced than the male evinces the most daring 

 courage, and gallantly drives off every intruder. Perched on a twig not far 

 from his beloved mate, his snow-white breast expands ; the feathers of his head 

 are raised and spread; the bright orange spot is laid open to the rays of the 

 sun ; he stands firm on his feet, and his vigilant eye glances over the wide field 

 of vision around him. Should he spy a crow, a vulture, a martin, or an eagle 

 in the neighborhood or at a distance, he spreads his wings to the air, and pressing 

 toward the dangerous foe, approaches him, and commences his attack with fury. 

 He mounts above the enemy, sounds the charge, and repeatedly plunging upon 

 the very back of his more powerful antagonist, essays to secure a hold. In this 

 manner, harassing his less active foe with continued blows of his bill, he follows 

 him probably for a mile, when, satisfied that he has done his duty, he gives his 

 wings their usual quivering motion and returns exulting and elated to his nest, 

 trilling his notes all the while. 



Few hawks will venture to approach the farmyard while the kingbird is 

 near. Even the cat in a great measure remains at home ; and, should she appear, 

 the little warrior, fearless as the boldest eagle, plunges toward her with such 

 rapid and violent motions, and so perplexes her with attempts to peck on all 

 sides, that grimalkin, ashamed of herself, returns discomfited to the house. 



The many eggs which he saves from the plundering crow, the many chickens 

 that are reared under his protection, safe from the clutches of the prowling 

 hawks, the vast number of insects which he devours, are benefits conferred by 

 him, more than sufficient to balance the few raspberries and figs which he eats, 

 and should insure for him the favor and protection of man. 



The kingbird is often seen passing on the wing over a field of clover, diving 

 down to the very blossoms, reascending in graceful undulations, snapping his 

 bill, and securing various sorts of insects, now and then varying his mode of 

 chase in curious zigzag lines, shooting to the right and left, up and down, as 

 if the object which he is pursuing were maneuvering for the purpose of elud- 

 ing him. 



About the month of August this species becomes comparatively mute, and 

 resorts to the old abandoned fields and meadows. There, perched on a fence or 

 a tall mullein stalk, he glances his eye in various directions, watching the passing 

 insects, after which he darts with a more direct motion than in spring. Having 

 secured one, he returns to the same or another stalk, beats the insect, and then 

 swallows it. He frequently flies high over the large rivers and lakes, sailing 

 and dashing about in pursuit of insects. Again, gliding down toward the water, 

 he drinks in the manner of various species of swallow. When the weather is 

 very warm he plunges repeatedly into the water, alights after each plunge on 

 the low branch of a tree close by, shakes off the water and plumes himself, when 

 perceiving some individuals of his tribe passing high overhead he ascends to 

 overtake them, and bidding adieu to the country, proceeds toward the South. 



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