Professional and Amateur. 115 



I have amused myself by bringing deadly statistics 

 to bear upon the question, yet not one of them but 

 frequently misses its aim. This you can positively 

 determine by close observation. It is easy enough 

 to take a position, with the sun at your back, and 

 watch a common pewee, a kingbird, a least flycatcher, 

 or any one of the family. There is little chance of 

 beinp- mistaken, and the success or failure of the 



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bird's efforts can be easily interpreted by its actions. 

 When unsuccessful, it gathers itself in mid-air and 

 makes a second effort. The insect has had warning, 

 however, and darts and twists in a way that effectually 

 baffles his birdship. We are so accustomed to look 

 at these tyrant flycatchers in a half-interested way, 

 and to take it for granted that all goes on like clock- 

 work, that we are often greatly deceived. Not one 

 of them is as skilful as it is reputed to be. They 

 have to earn their living, literally, and the strain 

 upon them must be enormous. Insects, it should 

 be remembered, do not remain motionless in the 

 air waiting to be devoured. Their flight is more 

 marvellous than that of any bird, and here, as in all 

 phases of life, there are grades of excellence, some 

 being more easily caught than others ; but when 

 it comes to lively tiger-beetles and insects that are 

 like lightning in their movements, it is more by 

 good luck than by good management that a kingbird 

 or a pewee gets enough to eat. On more than one 

 occasion I have seen a flycatcher give up in despair 

 and take a new position where the passing insects 

 were not in such a hurry. Nor need a pewee's food 



