KINGBIRD— FHCEBE 175 



The bird perches upon the branch of a tree, and, 

 motionless and upright, awaits the passing of victims. 

 When one comes within sight, the Flycatcher darts 

 from its perch, pursues, and usually captures the fly- 

 ing insect with a snap of the bill, and invariably 

 returns to the branch from which it started. Preying 

 almost entirely as they do upon insects, these birds are 

 necessarily migratory, leaving their northern summer 

 haunts for a warmer climate in winter. 



The Kingbird, or Tyrant Flycatcher, is one of 

 the largest of American Flycatchers, and gets its 

 name, "Tyrant," from its pugnacious disposition. 

 Owing to its powers of flight and its great courage, 

 this bird attacks without fear much larger species, 

 such as Hawks, Owls, and Crows, driving them away 

 from its chosen haunts whenever they appear. Tak- 

 ing its place in the air above the larger bird, the king- 

 bird maintains the relative position and, with a note of 

 alarm, now and again dives swiftly down and stabs the 

 offender with his sharp beak. Neither Crows nor 

 Hawks make any attempt at defence, but fly from the 

 assaults of their tiny enemy. 



Although the common name, Bee-Martin, is applied 

 to the Kingbird because of the farmers' belief that it 

 preys upon bees, many authorities claim that only the 

 drones are eaten. But as to this there seems to be 

 some doubt. 



The general colouring of the Kingbird is greyish- 

 slate above, the tail black, slightly tipped with white. 

 Both male and female have an orange-red crest, 

 which is only visible when the feathers are raised. 



The Phoebe is distinguished by a dark crest on the 



