H4 THE BIRDS ABOUT Us. 



boy in the country knows the Kingbird. No one 

 has probably missed the sight of a little dark-gray 

 bird with a bit of a topknot and white edging to his 

 tail launch out and upward, and when above some 

 passing crow dip down and nip, or make believe to 

 nip it, about the head. 



In May or June, when the kingbirds have their 

 nests, there are so many other and more attractive 

 birds that we do not notice them so much, but they 

 play a prominent part in August and September, 

 when young and old gather in loose companies, often 

 associated with birds of other kinds, and long before 

 cold weather has set in proceed on their southward 

 journey. 



Another flycatcher, and one that we are sure to 

 hear before we see, is the Great-crested. It is very 

 plainly dressed, and of all our birds has the most 

 disagreeable voice, a veritable grating squawk that 

 must be uttered of necessity rather than choice, for 

 the bird can surely only be pained when it hears 

 itself speak. They reach the Middle States in April 

 and make as long a stay as the kingbird. As fly- 

 catchers they are much the same, and are just as 

 brave so far as defending their nests is concerned, 

 but do not seem to be anxious to forever have a 

 quarrel on hand. 



Unlike the kingbird, which builds an open nest, 

 the great-crested wants a commodious hollow in a 

 tree, and will not hesitate to question the rights of 

 the little red owl, although the latter has had un- 

 disturbed possession all the previous winter. As 

 Wilson states, 



