A KINGBIRD FAMILY 



(Tyrannus tyrannus) 



KINGBIRDS, members of the fly- 

 catcher family, are truly kings among 

 birds, for they will fearlessly attack 

 anything on the wing that happens along, and 

 may be counted on to come out the better. It 

 must be said that they will also occasionally 

 pounce upon smaller birds, striking them to the 

 ground, though only rarely and when espe- 

 cially provoked. Kingbirds lay their eggs 

 late in the season, the young often not leaving 

 the nest before the middle of August when 

 the insects that form their diet are most plenti- 

 ful. At this period large grasshoppers, 

 dragon flies, etc., often still alive, are pushed 

 whole into the gaping beaks of the hungry 

 youngsters. In securing their food, these 



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