30 THE BIRDS OF 



black line down the side of the head 

 which the female lacks. 



Kingbird 



A good many birds have white outer 

 tail-feathers, but few have a band of 

 white, about a fourth of an inch in 

 width, at the end of the tail, «uch as the 

 Kingbird (Plate 4, p. 33). It is one of 

 his distinguishing field marks. Both 

 male and female are alike, plain gray- 

 black above, a silky, unmarked white 

 breast, and a red patch on the top of the 

 head, which the birds usually conceal. 

 In defending their nests against the at- 

 tacks of Hawks, Crows and other large 

 birds. Kingbirds show marvelous cour- 

 age and strength, for it is a common 

 sight to see one or more Kingbirds driv- 

 ing away a Crow. 



