TYRANT FLY-CATCHER. 405 



devours, and which would otherwise torment the cattle and horses, are 

 benefits conferred by him, more than sufficient to balance the few rasp- 

 berries and figs which he eats, and calculated to insure for him the favour 

 and protection of man. 



The King Bird fears none of his aerial enemies save the Martin ; and 

 although the latter frequently aids him in protecting his nest, and watch- 

 ing over the farm-yard, it sometimes attacks him with such animosity as 

 to force him to retreat, the Alight of the Martin being so superior to that 

 of the King Bird in quickness and power, as to enable it to elude the blows 

 which the superior strength of the latter might render fatal. I knew an 

 instance in which some Martins, that had been sole proprietors of a farm- 

 yard for several seasons, shewed so strong an antipathy to a pair of King 

 Birds, which had chanced to build their nest on a tree witliin a few yards 

 of the house, that, no sooner had the female begun to sit on her eggs, than 

 the Martin attacked the male with unremitting violence for several 

 days, and, notwithstanding his courage and superior strength, repeatedly 

 felled him to the ground, until he at length died of fatigue, when the fe- 

 male was beaten off in a state of despair, and forced to seek a new pro- 

 tector. 



The King Bird is often seen passing on the wing over a field of clover, 

 diving down to the very blossoms, and reascending in graceful undula- 

 tions, snapping his bill, and securing various sorts of insects, now and 

 then varying his mode of chase in curious zigzag lines, shooting to the 

 right and left, up and down, as if the object which he is pursuing were 

 manoeuvring for the purpose of eluding him. 



About the month of August, this species becomes comparatively mute, 

 and resorts to the old abandoned fields and meadows. There, perched on 

 a fence-stake or a tall muUein stalk, he glances his eye in various direc- 

 tions, watching the passing insects, after which he darts with a more di- 

 rect motion than in spring. Having secured one, he returns to the same 

 or another stalk, beats the insect, and then swallows it. He frequently 

 flies high over the large rivers and lakes, sailing and dashing about in 

 pursuit of insects. Again, gliding down towards the water, he drinks in 

 the manner of various species of Swallow. When the weather is very 

 warm, he plunges repeatedly into the water, alights after each plunge on 

 the low branch of a tree close by, shakes off the water and plumes him- 

 self, when, perceiving some individuals of his tribe passing high over 

 head, he ascends to overtake them, and bidding adieu to the country, 

 proceeds towards a warmer region. 



