FLYCATCHERS. 283 



on tHe limb, of an orchard tree. Sometimes it is built even 

 nearer to the ground, in the crotch of a low sapling or stout 

 bush, in some field or pasture. It is composed of the fine 

 stalks of various weeds and grasses, intermixed with plant- 

 down, to which are often attached bits of " sweet fern," dead 

 leaves, or moss, and it is frequently lined with horsehairs. In 

 this State it is finished about the first of June. The eggs of 

 each set are four or five,* and average 1.00 X .75 of an inch. 

 They are creamy white, with a few large spots of lilac, and 

 umber, or occasionally reddish brown. These spots are some- 

 times replaced by blotches, and, in two specimens before me, 

 by large splashes of several shades of brown. 



c. The male King-bird is so well known for his pugnacity 

 from the time of mating until his young are reared, that it is 

 scarcely necessary for me more than to allude to this important 

 trait in his character. He particularly dislikes Crows, whom 

 he often pursues for at least half a mile. As he generally 

 teases them by descending on to their backs, he is frequently 

 obliged to mount to a considerable height in the air. From 

 his courage in driving away from his summer home both 

 Hawks and Crows, he deserves protection among the farmers, 

 and though he may occasionally feed upon bees, he destroys 

 an immense number of other winged insects, upon which 

 chiefly he depends for food. 



The King-birds are common summer residents almost 

 throughout New England, but they inhabit principally culti- 

 vated lands and populated districts. They frequent orchards, 

 gardens, and fields, rarely or never resorting to the woods ; 

 on the contrary, they may often be seen immediately about 

 houses, especially on farms. They reach Massachusetts in 

 the second week of May, and leave it in September. They 

 are never, whilst here, strictly gregarious, but small parties of 

 three or four may often be seen in spring. It is common to 

 see two males paying attentions to a female. The victor soon 

 after follows his mate to search for a building-site. I am in- 

 clined to believe that among all birds the female has most to 



* So far as my experience goes, the King-bird never lays more than four eggs, 

 and nsnally bnt three. — W. B. 



