I30 



FLYCATCHERS. 



The Tyrant Flycatcher {Tyranmis i/i/rrp/dus), caWed also the King- 

 Bird, is an example of the American group of Flycatchers in which the bill 

 is large and strong, approximating that of the shrike. The names of ^v'fig 

 and tyrant bestowed upon this bird refer to the extraordinary authority 

 which he arrogates to himself during the breeding season over all the rest of the 

 feathered creation. " At this period," says Wilson, " his extreme affection for 

 his mate and for his nest and young, makes him suspicious of every bird that 

 happens to pass near his residence, so that he attacks, without discrimination, 

 every intruder. In the months of May, June, and part of July, his life is one 



Fig. 69.- -The Lizard-eatek {Saiirop/uigits ikior). 



continued scene of broils and battles, in which, however, he generally comes 

 off conqueror. Hawks and crows, the bald eagle and the great black eagle, 

 all equally dread an encounter with this dauntless little champion, who, as 

 soon as he even perceives one of these last approaching, launches out into the 

 air to meet him, mounts to a considerable height above hnn, and darts down 

 on his back, sometimes fixing there, to the great annoyance of his sovereign, 

 who, if no convenient retreat or resting-place be near, endeavours in vain to 

 rid himself of his merciLss adversary. He teases the eagle incessantly, 

 sweeps upon him from right to left, remounts, that he may descend on his 

 back v.'ith greater violence, all the while keeping up a shrill and rapid twit- 

 tering, and continuing the attack, sometimes for more than a mile, till he is 

 relieved by some other of his tribe, equally eager for the contest." This quar- 

 relsome demeanour is laid aside by the king-bird at the close of the breeding 

 season, and he then becomes a peaceable denizen of the wood or of the orchard. 

 The nest of the tyrant flycatcher is built on the branch of a tree, and com- 

 posed of small twigs and dried ilowers, interwoven with hemp and wool, and 



