BELLICOSE TYRANT 189 



is a fiery orange crest, displayed in moments of 

 excitement, 



In Buenos Ayres these birds arrive in September, 

 after which their shrill, angry cries are incessantly 

 heard, while the birds are seen pursuing each other 

 through the air or in and out amongst the trees 

 perpetually driven about by the contending passions 

 of love, jealousy, and rage. As soon as their domestic 

 broils are over, a fresh war against the whole feathered 

 race begins, which does not cease until the business 

 of propagation is finished. I have frequently spent 

 hours watching the male, successively attacking, 

 with scarcely an interval of rest, every bird, big or 

 little, approaching the sacred tree where its nest was 

 placed. Its indignation at the sight of a cowardly 

 Carrion-Hawk (Milvago) skulking about in search 

 of small birds' nests, and the boundless fury of its 

 onset, were wonderful to witness. 



They are extremely active, and when not engaged 

 in their endless aerial battles, are pursuing large 

 insects on the wing, usually returning after each 

 capture to their stand, from which they keep a jealous 

 watch on the movements of all winged things about 

 them. They are fond of marshy places and water- 

 courses, where they perch on a tall stalk to watch 

 for insects, and also frequently skim over the water 

 like Swallows to drink and dip their feathers. 



A tall tree is usually selected for the nest, which 

 is not infrequently placed on the very topmost 

 twigs, exposed to the sight of every creature passing 

 overhead, and as if in defiance of birds of prey. With 



