i io BIRD-LAND ECHOES. 



trace of music in its harsh chirp, for it is likely to be 

 thoroughly amiable now, if ever ; it exults that the 

 prosy sojourn in the far south is over for some six 

 months, and that the days of a right royal good time 

 are before it There is little danger of exaggeration 

 in speaking of the kingbird. It looks all that it is, 

 and is all that it looks. 



When the crab-apple-blossoms are in the heyday 

 of their loveliness there is a lull in the bird's activity ; 

 at this time its thoughts turn from flies to its fellow- 

 kind, and the matter of courtship is, as it always 

 should be, so men think, short, sweet, and sure ; 

 either this, or the bird takes it for granted that one is 

 as good as another, and seeks no explanation of the 

 first refusal. There is sound sense in that, too. 

 Now follows nest-building, and the structure, though 

 not architecturally pretentious, is strong enough to 

 withstand the storms of summer ; then for weeks the 

 master lives about the old crab-apple-tree and, while 

 apparently occupied only with its personal concerns, 

 keeps an eye on its mate and defends its castle against 

 all intruders. As regards chasing crows, possibly this 

 is a matter of fun for the kingbird. I have seen them 

 go very far out of their way to harass a carrion crow 

 that had no intention of raiding their nests or coming 

 within a mile of the nest-tree. It is possible that this 

 dislike to crows is inherited, being due to conditions 

 that have passed away, for these birds are not likely 

 now to destroy a kingbird's nest, living, as they do, 

 in constant fear of their plucky tormenter. When 

 the young birds appear there is added the duty of 



