140 Land Birds of New England 



with us from early May until September. Park- 

 hurst notes that in bathing he flies from his perch 

 directly into the stream, dashes the water over his 

 back, and returns to his place, repeating the per- 

 formance several times. It is perhaps this habit 

 which has given rise to the unfounded idea that he 

 feeds upon small fish. 



He owes his name to the fact that he is the one 

 small bird who ventures to attack the marauding 

 crow, and that he always comes off victorious. Ris- 

 ing above his foe, he drops down upon his back, 

 attacking him with beak and claws until the un- 

 lucky intruder makes off in ludicrous consternation. 



The nest is usually placed at a moderate height 

 on the horizontal bough of a tree in the orchard or 

 by the wayside. Eggs are laid early in June. 



The note is a sharp twitter, often somewhat re- 

 sembling that of the swallow. 



LITERATURE : 



Little Brothers of the Air. OLIVE THORNE MILLER. 



