GENUS 40. MUSCICAPA. FLYCATCHER. 



SPECIES l. M. TYRANNUS. 



TYRANT FLYCATCHER, OR KING-BIRD, 



[Plate XIII. Fig. L] 



Lanius Tyrannus, LINN. Syst. 136. LATH. Syn. i, 1 86. CATESB. 

 i, 55.- Le Tyran de la Caroline, BUFF, iv, 577. PI. Enl. 676. 

 Jlrct. Zool. p. 384, JVo. 263. PEALE'S Museum, JVo. 578. 



THIS is the Field Martin of Maryland and some of the south- 

 ern states, and the King-bird of Pennsylvania and several of 

 the northern districts. The epithet Tyrant, which is generally 

 applied to him by naturalists, I am not altogether so well satis- 

 fied with; some, however, may think the two terms pretty 

 nearly synonymous. 



The trivial name King as well as Tyrant has been bestowed 

 on this bird for its extraordinary behaviour, and the authority 

 it assumes over all others, during the time of breeding. At that 

 season his extreme affection for his mate, and for his nest and 

 young, makes him suspicious of every bird that happens to pass 

 near his residence, so that he attacks without discrimination, 

 every intruder. In the months of May, June, and part of July, 

 his life is one continued scene of broils and battles, in which, 

 however, he generally comes off conqueror. Hawks and Crows, 

 the Bald Eagle, and the great Black Eagle, all equally dread a 

 recontre with this dauntless little champion, who, as soon as 

 he perceives one of these last approaching, lanches into the air 

 to meet him, mounts to a considerable height above him, and 

 darts down on his back, sometimes fixing there to the great an- 

 noyance of his sovereign, who, if no convenient retreat or rest- 

 ing place be near, endeavours by various evolutions to rid him- 



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