THE BIKDS OF NEW JERSEY. 195 



444 Tyrannus tyrannus (Linnaeus). 

 Kingbird. 



PLATE 44. 



Adults. Length, 8-9. Wing, 4.50. Above, dark slate color ; head, black, 

 with a concealed median spot of orange feathers ; wings, dusky ; coverts and 

 tertials slightly bordered with white ; tail, black, all the feathers broadly tipped 

 with white ; under parts, white, slightly tinged with gray on the breast. 



Young in first summer. Similar, but browner above, and concealed crown 

 patch lacking. 



Nest of twigs and rootlets, lined with wool, moss, etc., placed in the top of 

 a tree ; eggs, three to five, white, with rather coarse spots of brown, .95 x .70. 



Common summer resident. Arrives April 29th (May 4th), departs 

 September 20th. 



A common bird of the farm and orchard; the Kingbird is familiar 

 to everyone. From his perch on a dead branch at the top of a tree he 

 keeps a watch, as it were, over his domain, and every now and then 

 darts out to catch some passing insect, or to pursue some feathered 

 trespasser who has entered his territory. He attacks all birds alike, 

 without regard to any possible injury that they may inflict upon him 

 or his family. His wonderful agility enables him to make it very 

 uncomfortable for the passing Turkey Vulture or Crow, and I have 

 seen him press a circling Chimney Swift so closely as to drive him to 

 the ground almost paralyzed with fright. As he returns to h'is post he 

 gives vent to his harsh "see-saw"-like call. 



In early spring he likes to perch on the top of some old mullein 

 stalk or weed in the pasture and from this vantage point snap up any 

 passing insects. Occasionally he devours honey bees, but not enough 

 to constitute any damage, while eighty per cent, of his food consists of 

 noxious insects. 



447 Tyrannus verticalis Say. 

 Arkansas Kingbird. 



Adults length, 8-9.50. Wing, 4.75-5.25. Pale slaty-gray above, paler on 

 the throat and breast ; belly, yellow, with a tinge of the same on the rump ; 

 tail-coverts and tail, black ; outer web of outermost feathers, white ; wings, 

 dusky brown ; a concealed red crown patch. 



