FLYCATCHERS AND OTHER FRIENDS IN FEATHERS 



) National Geographic Society 



SWIFT, COURAGEOUS KINGBIRDS ROUT HAWKS AND LUMBERING CROWS 



In the distance a doughty Httle warrior is winning such an aerial battle, pursuing closely and 

 sometimes actually riding on its much larger foeman's back. All four of the birds with the orange- 

 red crowns are Kingbirds — the Eastern in flight, the Arkansas, or Western, just below it, 

 Cassin's (left), a far westerner, and Couch's (bottom), which nests in southern Texas. Like 

 the Southwest's aptly named Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (top), which shares their courage, 

 they all live mainly on insects caught on the wing. 



