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ARKANSAS KINGBIRD. 
447. Tyrannus verticalis. 9 inches. 
These tyrant flycatchers are abundant west of the Mis: 
sissippi, where they are often, and perhaps more aptly, 
known as the Western Kingbirds. If possible, they are 
even more noisy and pugnacious than the eastern species. 
They have a great variety of notes, all rather unpleasant 
to the ear. Their food, like that of the other Kingbirds, 
consists of moths, butterflies, ants, grasshoppers, crick- 
ete., ete., most of which they catch on the wing. 
Note.—A shrill, metallic squeak; a low twittering 
and a harsh, discordant scream, all impossible to print. 
Nest.—Quite large and clumsily made of paper, rags, 
twigs, rootlets and grasses, placed in all sorts of loca- 
tions, frequently in eave troughs or above windows. 
The eggs are creamy white, spotted with brown (.95 x 
65). 
Range.—Western United States, breeding from Texas 
to Manitoba and west to the Pacific; winters south of 
Urs: 
