THE FLYCATCHING FAMILY 139 
usually be seen from morning till night, sitting 
very straight upon a low perch, looking for flies 
of many kinds. 
Tet me tell you a little story of a kingbird 
which I can assure you is true, for a gentleman 
whose word may be relied upon saw it near 
enough to be perfectly sure of the facts. 
A big bird, he did not notice what kind, was 
flying off with a nestling robin in his claws. All 
at once a kingbird flew at him so fiercely that 
he had to drop the young one to defend him- 
self. The youngster could not fly, and of course 
began to fall. When the kingbird saw that, he 
left the thief and flew under the little bird. He 
held it up on his back, and flew carefully to the 
ground, where it slipped off safely. 
When a kingbird has been tamed and kept in 
a house, he has been found to be a very knowing 
fellow. One that I heard of saw that the people 
were friendly, and he lost all fear of them. His 
greatest pleasure seemed to be to keep warm. He 
would cuddle up to a lighted lamp, and dearly 
liked to crawl under the bedclothes. This pet 
was quiet and dignified, never a chatterbox. The 
only sounds he made were a few low notes like 
thanks, when he was fed. 
The nest of the kingbird is usually placed in 
a low tree like the apple-tree. It is made of any- 
