THE KINGBIRD. 360 
twig to twig in the manner by which so many of the smaller birds as clearly 
display their anxiety as they do by their notes of distress.’’ 
No. 142. 
KINGBIRD. 
A. O. U. No. 444. Tyrannus tyrannus (Linn.). 
Synonyms.—Eastern Kincpirp. Bre Martin. Tyrant FLYCATCHER. 
Description Adult: Above ashy black changing to pure black on head, 
and fuscous on wings; crown with a concealed orange-red (cadmium orange) 
patch or “crest,” the orange feathers black-tipped and overlying others broadly 
white at base; wings with whitish and brownish ash edgings; tail black, all the 
feathers broadly white-tipped, and the outermost pair often white-edged; below 
white, washed with grayish on breast; bill and feet black. Immature birds lack 
the crown-patch, and are more or less tinged with fulvous or buffy on the parts 
which are light-colored in the adult. Length 8.00-9.00 (203-228.6) ; wing 4.60 
(116.8) ; tail 3.31 (84.1); bill from nostril .52 (13.2). 
Recognition Marks.—Chewink size; blackish ash above; white below; black 
tail conspicuously tipped with white; noisy and quarrelsome. 
Nesting.—WNest: at moderate heights in trees, usually over water, of weed- 
stalks, plant-fibres and trash, with a felted mat of plant-down or wool, and an 
inner lining of fine grasses, feathers, rootlets, ete. Eggs: 3 or 4, sometimes 5, 
white or cream-white, distinctly but sparingly spotted with dark umber and 
occasional chestnut. Av. size .98x.73 (24.9x18.5). Season: first week in 
June; one brood. 
General Range.—North America from the British Provinces south; in win- 
ter thru eastern Mexico, Central and South America. Less common west of 
the Rocky Mountains. Not recorded from northern Mexico and Arizona. 
Range in Washington.—Not uncommon summer resident on East-side; 
not common, but of regular occurrence in certain localities west of the Cascades; 
nearly confined to vicinity of water in lake or pond. 
Authorities——T7 yrannus carolinensis Baird, Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv., 
Per ers sonnel CiS. DS Ra D245 Sst Ss4i Je) Bask. 
Specimens.—(U. of W.) Proy. P'. C. E. 
NO one has come forward with a theory to account for the testiness of 
this bird’s temper, nor for the domineering qualities which distinguish him 
above all others; but I hazard that it is because his glowing crown is partially 
concealed by bourgeois black. Those whose regal marks are more patent are 
wont to receive homage as matter of course, but the scion of an unacknowl- 
a. ©. W. and J. H. Bowles in The Auk, Vol. XV., Apr., 1898, p. 139. 
