O22 LAND BIRDS 
downward. Nearly always the nestling is out after it 
and back with it in his beak before you can realize how 
it is done. Many times have we watched them, and the 
lesson is always given in this way, and always repeated 
until there can be no fear of missing. Then the young 
are taken to the meadow and taught to dart down after 
butterflies or grasshoppers. In some way they learn that 
the worker bees have stings and must not be caught, but 
that the drones are delicious morsels. So even at the 
bee-hive they are a benefit to the farmer, while among 
the fruit trees and meadows their value can scarcely be 
overestimated ; and the stigma of “ Bee-bird,” so long 
unjustly borne by them, is fast becoming a word of praise 
among intelligent people. 
448. CASSIN KINGBIRD. — Tyrannus vociferans. 
Famity: The Flycatchers. 
Length : 8.00-9.00. 
Adults : Crown with concealed red patch; upper parts and breast dark 
gray ; belly lemon-color; chin white; tail black, tipped with 
grayish, 
Young: Duller; wing-coverts margined with buffy, and no crown patch. 
Geographical Distribution: From eastern slope of Rocky Mountains to 
Southern Wyoming, Western Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona ; from 
Oregon to Lower California. 
California Breeding Range; Chiefly in upper and lower Sonoran zones 
throughout the State ; south into Lower California. 
Breeding Season: May 27 to July 30. 
Nest: Similar to that of the Arkansas kingbird. 
Eggs: 2 to 5; similar in color and markings to the Arkansas kingbird’s. 
Size 0.99 X 0.76. 
Un ike the Arkansas kingbird, the Cassin loves the 
mountains and the coast. His nest has been taken at 
