ARKANSAS KINGBIRD. 



447. Tyrannus verticalis. 9 inches. 



This tyrant flycatcher is abundant west of the Mis- 

 sissippi, where it is often, and perhaps more aptly, 

 known as the Western Kingbird. If possible, it is 

 even more noisy and pugnacious than the eastern 

 species. It has a great variety of notes, all rather un- 

 pleasant to the ear, and evidently often tries to imitate 

 those of other birds. Their food, like that of the other 

 Kingbirds, consists of moths, butterflies, ants, grass- 

 hoppers, crickets, etc., most of which they catch on 

 the wing. 



Notes. A shrill metallic squeak; a low twittering 

 and a harsh, discordant scream, all impossible to print. 



Nest. Quite large and clumsily made of paper, rags, 

 twigs, rootlets and grasses, placed in all sorts of loca- 

 tions, frequently in eave troughs or above windows. 

 The eggs are creamy white, spotted with brown 

 (.95x.65). 



Range. Western United States, breeding from 

 Texas to Manitoba and west to the Pacific*; winters 

 south of U. S. 



