THE KINGBIRD. 



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ell 



T is somewhat strange that there 

 should be little unity of opinion 

 concerning a bird as well known 

 as is this charming fellow,, who 

 has at least one quality which 

 we all admire courage. We will 

 quote a few of the opinions of well- 

 known observers as to whether his 

 other characteristics are admirable, 

 and let the reader form his own con- 

 clusion. 



John Burroughs says of him : "The 

 exquisite of the family, and the braggart 

 of the orchard, is the Kingbird, a 

 bully that loves to strip the feathers 

 off its more timid neighbors like the 

 Bluebird, that feeds on the stingless 

 bees of the hive, the drones, and earns 

 the reputation of great boldness by 

 teasing large hawks, while it gives a 

 wide berth to the little ones." De- 

 cidedly, th : s classifies him with the 

 English Sparrow. But we will hear 

 Dr. Brewer : " The name, Kingbird, 

 is given it on the supposition that it 

 is superior to all other birds in the 

 reckless courage with which it will 

 maintain an unequal warfare. My 

 own observations lead me to the con- 

 clusion that writers have somewhat 

 exaggerated the quarrelsome disposi- 

 tion of this bird. I have never, or 

 very rarely, known it to molest or 

 attack any other birds than those 

 which its own instinct prompts it to 

 drive away in self-defense, such as 

 Hawks, Owls, Eagles, Crows, Jays, 

 Cuckoos, and Crackles." That Dr. 

 Coues is a friend of the Kingbird, his 

 language amply proves : " The King- 

 bird is not quarrelsome simply very 

 lively. He is the very picture of dash 

 and daring in defending his home, and 

 when he is teaching his youngsters how 

 to fly. He is one of the best of neigh- 

 bors, and a brave soldier. An officer 

 of the guild of Sky Sweepers, also a 

 Ground Gleaner and Tree Trapper 



killing robber -flies, ants, beetles, and 

 rose-bugs. A good friend to horses 

 and cattle, because he kills the terrible 

 gadflies. Eats a little fruit, but chiefly 

 wild varieties, and only now and then 

 a bee." If you now have any diffi- 

 culty in making up your verdict, we 

 will present the testimony of one 

 other witness, who is, we think, an 

 original observer, as well as a delight- 

 ful writer, Bradford Torrey. He was 

 in the country. "Almost, I could 

 have believed myself in Eden," he 

 says. " But, alas, even the birds 

 themselves were long since shut out 

 of that garden of innocence, and as I 

 started back toward the village a 

 Crow went hurrying past me, with a. 

 Kingbird in hot pursuit. The latter 

 was more fortunate than usual, or 

 more plucky, actually alighting on 

 the Crow's back, and riding for some 

 distance. I could not distinguish his 

 motions he was too far away for 

 that but I wished him joy of his 

 victory, and grace to improve it to the 

 full. For it is scandalous that a bird 

 of the Crow's cloth should be a thief; 

 and so, although I reckon him among 

 my friends in truth, because I do so 

 I am always able to take it patiently 

 when I see him chastised for his 

 fault." 



The Kingbird is a common bird in 

 Eastern United States, but is rare 

 west of the Rocky Mountains. It is 

 perhaps better known by the name of 

 Beebird or Bee-martin. The nest is 

 placed in an orchard or garden, or by 

 the roadside, on a horizontal bough or 

 in the fork at a moderate height ; 

 sometimes in the top of the tallest 

 trees along streams. It is bulky, 

 ragged, and loose, but well capped and 

 brimmed, consisting of twigs, grasses, 

 rootlets, bits of vegetable down, and 

 wool firmly matted together, and lined 

 with feathers, hair, etc. 



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