AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY. 57 



offer the slightest resistence but appear to exert every muscle in an effort 

 to escape. After chasing the object of his hate sometimes a mile away, 

 this valiant little tyrant will proudly sale back to his lookout with ex- 

 cited cries of victory. 



In this way they do good service for farmers by protecting his poultry 

 from the depredations of birds of prey. While never at peace with 

 birds that are in the habit of preying upon other birds or their 

 eggs, King birds always seem to be on good terms with all other kinds 

 and birds of other species are often found nesting in the same tree with 

 them. Not only do they protect their own nests with great valor, but 

 they will do their utmost to drive intruders away from the home of any 

 of their neighbors in distress. 



One pair of King birds that I began to feel as though I was acquaint- 

 ed with, returns to the same orchard year after year. They have taken 

 upon themselves the duty of police, and try to look after the welfare of 

 all their neighbors. 



The first time I approached the place, this pair of birds came out to 

 greet me, not with words of welcome, but with notes of alarm and 

 warning; so vociferous were they that they soon had all the bird popu- 

 lation in a panic, and Robins, Blue birds, Chipping and Song Sparrows, 

 Orioles, House Wrens and a pair of Tree Swallows swarmed about me 

 Tittering their varied notes of alarm. It required only a few minutes of 

 this din to bring forth the farmer to investigate. 



I first made my peace with him and then tried it with the birds, which 

 was a more difficult matter. All except the King birds soon quieted 

 down but these would have nothing to do with me and it was only after 

 I had visited them half a dozen times that they would omit their angry 

 greeting. Finally, however, they did become reconciled to me and my 

 photographic outfit. 



Their food is almost wholly of insects, which are caught on the wing, 

 and so keen is their vision that they will, from their lookout on a dead 

 branch, see a favorite insect fifty or more yards away and immediately 

 dash out in pursuit, and a snapping of the mandibles announces his 

 success. While most of their food consists of obnoxious insects, they 

 also eat bees, which causes them to be in ill-repute with bee keepers, 

 who call these birds Bee birds or Martins. They arrive at their northern 

 breeding ground early in May and remain until their food supply is 

 getting scarce which occurs after the first frost of Autumn. Most farm- 

 ers now realize the value of insect-eating birds and offer them what pro- 

 tection they can from human enemies and, at least ia Massachusetts, I 

 think that King birds have been increasing in numbers duiin^j the past 

 few years. 



