484 KING-BIRD 
sitting mate and the precious contents of his nest. These sallies are 
almost invariably successful, and Wilson writes that “Hawks and 
crows, the Bald Eagle, and the great Black Eagle, all equally dread 
a rencontre with this dauntless little champion, who, as soon as he 
perceives one of these last approaching, launches into the air to meet 
him, mounts to a considerable height above him, 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 by various evolutions to rid himself of his merciless 
adversary. But the King-bird is not so easily dismounted. He 
teases the Eagle incessantly, sweeps upon him from right to left, 
remounts, that he may descend on his back with the greater 
violence ; all the while keeping up a shrill and rapid twittering ; 
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.” 
Other birds meet with a similar fate, but the Purple Martin 
(Progne) and the Red-headed Woodpecker are exceptions, the 
former escaping by superior flight, the latter by being able to 
dodge the little tyrant around the perch where he has taken 
refuge. During other times of the year the King-bird entirely 
