KINGBIRD. 339 



shaped fronds in the air. Magnolias, cypresses, r^tinisporas, cedars, and araucarias, 

 oleanders, grevilleas, banana shrubs, jacarandas, tecomas, allamandas, tea shrubs, 

 camellias, and camphor trees have been planted largely, besides climbers and bamboos. 

 A few years hence these trees and shrubs will make the gardens of this region the finest 

 of the country. Durihg the day crinums, spider-lilies, and hedychiums perfume the air, 

 and at night the night jasmine {Cestram Parqui) exhales a strong and delicious fragrance. 



Birds are not found in this part of the country in such abundance as in Texas 

 and farther north. The reason for this peculiar fact is not clear to me. The Mocking- 

 bird is a regular tenant of all the orange groves, and so is the Loggerhead Shrike. 

 One of the most common birds near the houses in Florida is the Kingbird, also known 

 as the Bee Martin and Tyrant Flycatcher. It is the sentinel and guardian of all the 

 small birds and the poultry here as in the North and East, being as conspicuous in the 

 orange trees and magnolias of the South as it is in the apple trees and locusts in the 

 North. Though having observed this familiar bird since ray earliest childhood in "Wis- 

 consin, and later in Illinois and thence southward to Texas, I have never noticed it 

 display such a courage and pugnacity as in Florida. The audacious boldness with 

 which it attacks birds of prey and other robbers far superior to it in strength, the 

 pertinacity with which it continues its assaults, its reckless and unequalled bravery with 

 which it maintains the unequal struggle, and its singular confidence in man, have always 

 commanded the admiration of even the indolent and indifferent observer. I have often 

 seen it attack Crows and Hawks in the North, but in Florida I noticed its struggles 

 with the majestic and royal Bald Eagle, a very common bird in Florida, often com- 

 mitting great havoc among the poultry. Wherever the Kingbird has settled, no robber 

 ventures to enter its domain. In boldness and bravery no other bird equals it. It is 

 the hero, the king among birds, and its common name is therefore well founded. 

 Cowardice is unknown to this characteristic bird. In its combats with the largest 

 Eagle and the most furious Hawk it always returns victorious. 



In order to assure us of the Kingbird's bravery and pugnacity, we shall watch 

 more closely the pair breeding in the top of an orange tree near the house. There, on 

 yonder top of a miagnoKa, or on a dry branch of a mulberry tree near by, the male is 

 on his guard. His shrill twittering notes are almost constantly heard. The feathers of 

 his crest stand erect. The sharp eye as well as his proud attitude convince us that the 

 bird is ready to meet an enemy at any time. His rapid flight, his quivering and sailing 

 from one tree top to another, and his sallying up and down in the air signifies his 

 superiority on the wing. A few twittering notes are uttered, and the female is on his 

 side. The bird trembles from excitement. Far in the distance, only noticeable as an 

 obscure spot, a Bald Eagle approaches. Slowly he comes near and nearer. With 

 exquisite majesty the "king among birds" overlooks his domain. Long before our eyes 

 discover the robber the Kingbird has perceived him. The latter is perfectly silent, but 

 we notice his excitement. In powerful flight the enemy circles through the air, soon 

 coming within the range of the Kingbird, whose time has now come. He rushes out 

 to meet the giant. In a few moments he is near him. Nothing can be more striking 

 than the intrepidity with which he pounces down upon the Eagle. Mounting in the 

 air high above, he pounces dowm upon his back and head, furiously pecking and striking 



