158 CASSELL'S BOOK OF BIRDS. 



spotted and streaked with reddish brown. Bernstein tells us that the species inhabiting Java build 

 amid the parasitic plants that cover their favourite palms, or upon the leaves of the tree itself, forming 

 their little abodes of grass, moss, fibres, and small leaves, carelessly arranged, but strongly lined with 

 soft and elastic materials. The Indian species, according to Jerdon, makes a bed of feathers inside 

 its nest. Many of the members of this family remain in company even during the breeding season, 

 and build in close proximity to each other. It is still uncertain whether the male bird assists in the 

 cares of incubation, but both parents tend their young with great care, and rear them exclusively upon 

 insect diet. 



The FLY-CATCHERS, according to Linnseus, comprise a large number of small singing birds, 

 distinguished by their broad, flat beaks. These have again been divided into a variety of families, 

 amongst which the following stands first upon our list as forming a connecting link between the 

 Fly-catchers and the Shrikes properly so-called. 



The KING or TYRANT SHRIKES (Tyranni) constitute a family of American birds, having 

 small but powerful bodies, and long, pointed wings, which when closed extend half-way down the tail. 

 The second and third quills exceed the rest in length. The large broad tail is either excised or 

 rounded at its extremity ; the legs are strong, the tarsi high, and the toes muscular ; the straight and 

 slightly conical beak terminates in a hook, and is surrounded with bristles at its base. The thick 

 soft plumage is usually grey upon the back, and white or yellow upon the under parts of the body. 

 The Tyrant Shrikes are found extensively throughout South America, and are especially numerous in 

 the warmest latitudes of that continent. 



THE TRUE TYRANT SHRIKE, KING BIRD, OR TYRANT FLY-CATCHER. 



The True Tyrant Shrike, King Bird, or Tyrant Fly-catcher {Tyramius intrepidus), as 



the most noted member of this family is called, is about eight inches long and fourteen broad. The 



soft and brilliant plumage of this species is prolonged into a crest at the top of the head. The entire 



back is of a deep blueish grey, darkest upon the head, the feathers that form the crest being edged 



* . . . 



with bright red and yellow ; the under side is greyish white, tinted with a deeper shade on the breast. 



The throat and neck are pure white, the quills and tail brownish black, the latter tipped with white, 



as are the wing-covers. The eye is dark brown, the beak black, the feet greyish blue. In the 



plumage of the female all these colours are much more dusky and indistinct than in that of her mate. 



According to Audubon, the Tyrant Shrike is one of the most attractive birds that visit the 



United States during the summer months. It appears in Louisiana about the middle of March, and 



occasionally remains until the middle of September, but the flocks for the most part proceed north 



before that season, and spread themselves over every part of the country, filling the air with their 



quivering shrill cry, as they explore the orchards, fields, or gardens, and fearlessly approach the 



dwelling-houses of mankind. As the breeding season draws near, they may be seen flying merrily 



about at some distance from the ground, in search of a convenient spot for building, the male 



constantly uttering his shrill note, and keeping quite close to his mate. The nest is formed of bits 



of cotton, wool, tow, or similar materials, and is usually of considerable size ; the interior is neatly 



and thickly lined with fibres and horsehair ; the four or six eggs have a reddish white shell, irregularly 



marked with brown streaks. No sooner is the brood laid than the male bird begins to exhibit the 



utmost courage and devotion in tending and protecting his partner. The entire day is occupied in 



feeding and entertaining her, as he perches close beside her on a twig, displaying his glowing crest 



and white breast in all its beauty to her admiring eyes. Should an enemy or rival approach, he 



