6 1 8 The Sparrow-like Birds 



the family as well as many entering into, or peculiar to, the neotropical region. 

 They have flattened, bristle-armed bills, more or less lengthened and strong 

 wings, and relatively long and robust tarsi, and as befits their increased strength 

 they are almost all vigorous, active, often more or less pugnacious birds, bullying 

 those of their own size and not hesitating to attack birds of the largest size, 

 such as Hawks, Owls, and Crows, in defense of nest or prerogative. 



Kingbird, Bee-Martin. Perhaps the most abundant and conspicuous 

 species inhabiting eastern North America is the Kingbird, Bee-bird, or Bee- 

 Martin (Tyrannus tyrannus}. About eight and a half inches in length, it is 

 grayish slate-color above, becoming darker on the head and pure white washed 

 with grayish on the breast below, the tail being black, tipped with white, while 

 through the middle of the crown runs a concealed patch of bright orange-red. 

 It is strictly migratory, returning from its winter home in Central and South 

 America in April or early May and remaining until September. It is most 

 frequently seen along roadsides or about orchards, where it usually perches 

 on a dead branch and keeps a constant lookout for passing insects, which it 

 flies out and seizes, returning immediately to its post. It has a fondness for the 

 honey-bee; but as Dr. Coues well says, it probably captures a thousand other 

 insects for every bee it takes, and is deserving of the fullest protection. No 

 particular attempt is made at concealing the nest, which is usually at the extrem- 

 ity of a horizontal branch of an apple or other fruit tree at a height of fifteen 

 or twenty feet from the ground. It is a compact structure made of weed stalks, 

 grasses, etc., and lined with fine grasses, rootlets, and plant down, and the eggs, 

 from three to five in number, are white, handsomely spotted with umber. The 

 notes and calls of the Kingbird are loud and not altogether unmusical, and are 

 uttered with an excess of energy which makes them always attractive. The 

 male takes little or no part in incubating the eggs, but is assiduous in caring for 

 the young, and moreover is always on the watch near the nest for possible enemies, 

 and 



" Woe to the wretch 

 In feathered dress who dares invade 

 The realm wherein he sways the rod 

 And scepter ! " 



Cuckoos, Blackbirds, Jays, Crows, and even Hawks and Eagles are fear- 

 lessly attacked if they venture too close to the cherished home and by repeated 

 darts and spiteful pecks are driven from the neighborhood. 



Other Kingbirds. The Gray Kingbird (T. dominicensis} of the South 

 Atlantic States and Greater Antilles may be known by the ash-gray upper 

 parts, absence of a white band on the tip of the tail, larger size, very much larger 

 bill, forked instead of rounded tail, as well as by its very different notes; its 

 habits are similar to those of the Kingbird. In the western United States and 

 extending into Mexico and Central America is a group of species in which the 

 lower parts are yellow and the throat and chest grayish or whitish. Among 

 these the Arkansas or Western Kingbird (T. verticalis) is a common summer 



