the exposed parts of the robber. The victim turns his head from one side to the other 

 to escape the blows, he flies up and down in powerful motions in order to get rid of 

 his little tormentor; he darts down like an arrow; but all in vain. The Kingbird only 

 leaves him for a moment to descend again and again with the same unrelenting ani- 

 mosity. He often drives him for miles, and in these encounters always returns con- 

 queror. With far-sounding, triumphant cries of victory, in proud and audacious attitude, 

 and quivering incessantly with his wings, he returns to his old spot. The female also 

 frequently takes part in these encounters. 



The Kingbird is a valuable guardian of the farm-yard. None of the Hawks or 

 other flying robbers dare to venture into the domain of this bird without being severely 

 punished. Nothing in the air escapes its attention. The large birds of prey do not utter 

 a sound when assaulted, but the Blue Jay screams in the most pitiable manner. The 

 coward does not know where to seek refuge, and it scarcely has the courage to leave 

 the safety of the thickets, when the Kingbird is near. The pilfering Crow also seems to 

 be in great fright when attacked by a Kingbird. Being a very sagacious and bold 

 robber, the Crow plunders the nests of the hens in the barn-yard and captures the young 

 chickens, when unmolested by this guardian. The latter is really the sentinel and pro- 

 tector of the farm-yard, and its services are highly appreciated by the country people. 

 Being always victorious in its combats and fights in the air, it is not well equipped to 

 assault its enemies in dense trees or bushes. The injurious birds of prey are well 

 distinguished from those of a harmless nature, the Turkey Buzzards, for instance, being 

 never molested. 



Writers of natural history have frequently accused the Kingbird of a quarrelsome 

 disposition towards all other birds. It is a fact, however, that it is entirely harmless 

 as far as our small songbirds are concerned. Although by no means a large bird, it is 

 gifted with a degree of courage that would do justice to the largest of Our feathered 

 tribes. Being remarkably quick upon the wing, it becomes a formidable enemy to such 

 of its neighbors as have the temerity to encroach upon its domain. During the nesting 

 time its jealous disposition is most apparent. While the female is occupied with her 

 domestic affairs, the male is ever watchful for the appearance of intruders and robbers, 

 and any attempt by birds of the latter group to enter his nesting range, is repelled 

 wth much bitterness. In all cases, however, robbers and thieves are the only objects of 

 his animosity. Whenever they make their appearance, he sallies forth to give them 

 battle. Small and harmless birds are never harassed and therefore his names Tyrant 

 and Tyrant Flycatcher are very unjust. I have repeatedly found other birds nesting in 

 the same tree with the Kingbird, and all were in pei-fect harmony. Near my house 

 in south-western Missouri a pair of Kingbirds nested in the top of a small black jack 

 oak. A Robin had its nest in the same tree, and scarcely six feet from the Kingbird's 

 nest the cozy cradle of the Orchard Oriole was suspended. The twittering of the King- 

 bird was heard all day long in fine weather, and in delightful excitement the male 

 was flying in a quivering way from one tree-top to another. Catbirds, Thrashers, 

 and Bluebirds nested near by and even a colony of Martins was present, though it 

 is said that with them the Kingbirds are usually not on good terms. In this case all 

 were evidently united by amity and mutual good- will. All seemed to have the feeling 



