THE COURTEOUS KINGBIRD 203 



giving him a wide view over the neighbor- 

 hood. 



This person of the royal name I found 

 just as courteous to his mate as I have al- 

 ways found his species. He greeted her with 

 a few notes and slight lifting, of wings when 

 she came, and when he brought food after 

 the young were out he alighted near and 

 announced himself, upon which she scram- 

 bled out of the nest and he administered the 

 provision to the nestlings, then retired to his 

 watch-tower to guard them, while the mother 

 went off to feed. 



There was much low talk between the 

 kingbird pair, and some especially interest- 

 ing over the youngsters when one parent was 

 alone. Both of the pair talked this baby- 

 talk, which was very low. I could scarcely 

 hear it, although I was within six feet of the 

 nest, and perfectly silent. 



As usual, I found the young kingbirds 

 exceedingly interesting. When their heads 

 began to show above the edge of the nest 

 they looked exactly like little old men with 

 gray fur caps on, and they began to show 

 individuality as soon as they were out of 



