350 Trees, Stars, and Birds 



birds much larger than itself, often chasing crows and 

 hawks if they come near its nest. They do not molest 

 little birds, and these are safer in the vicinity of a king- 

 bird's nest than they would be if the kingbird were 

 absent. Because of their skill and courage in driving 

 away crows and hawks, kingbirds are useful to the 

 poultry raiser. 



Like other flycatchers, kingbirds feed on winged 

 insects. Their method of capturing them is different 

 from that of swallows and swifts. Instead of circling 

 about on the wing, the kingbird waits on a conspicuous 

 perch until an insect flies near. Then it darts after it 

 and soon comes to rest again either on the same perch 

 or on one not far away. The broad tail, used as a rudder, 

 enables the kingbird to turn quickly in order to seize 

 a fly in its beak. It is this ability to dodge which makes 

 it safe for a kingbird to pursue and harass a bird of much 

 greater strength. 



Kingbirds are sometimes known as " bee birds " 

 or " bee martins." By far the larger part of the bees 

 they eat are drones. Robber flies (insects with long and 

 slender tapering bodies) prey upon honeybees, catching 

 them on the wing. These flies are eaten in considerable 

 numbers by kingbirds, which in this way benefit the 

 beekeeper. The kingbird eats wasps, flies, beetles, 

 grasshoppers, butterflies, and caterpillars, taking some 

 of them from the ground. Few American birds are more 

 widely distributed or easier to recognize. 



Does the kingbird arrive at your home before the first 

 of May? Why does it not remain in the United States 

 throughout the year? Do you think the bright color 



