342 GRAY KINGBIRD. 



weapon, are not molested. .This assertion may prove true after all. The Kingbird's 

 alleged injuries in this respect can certainly not be regarded as serious, especially when 

 we consider the fact, that it destroys daily a vast number of noxious insects. Almost 

 all its prey is caught in the air. A dry branch or the top of a scantily foliaged tree 

 are selected as a watch-pogt. With a jerk it flies up or down, or it dives about -with. 

 great rapidity. Often it flies slowly from one tree to another with rapid vibrations of 

 the wings, or it soars in a floating way over the orchard trees in pursuit of insects. 

 According to all observers the Kingbirds render a most important service to man by 

 driving away the predatory birds, and moreover by destroying countless numbers of 

 noxious insects. They are said to feed also on various wild fruits, such as blackbAries, 

 raspberries, and pokeberries, and those of the cedar, dogwood, sassafras, etc. 



Few observers make mention of the concealed, beautifully orange-colored spot on 

 the top of the head. When the feathers of the crest are erected, this color becomes 

 exceedingly vivid and striking, and the whole appears like a showy flower. The purpose 

 of this peculiar color-mark seems clear. Doubtless many insects mistake it for a flower, 

 and are captured by the bird while coming near. A large number of butterflies and the 

 small diptera and other insects looking for sweet nectar of flowers are the victims. I 

 have often observed a Hummingbird buzzing around the head of the Kingbird, but- 

 whether in a quarrelsome disposition or whether mistaking the showy crown-spot for 

 a flower I am not able to say. 



The migration to the South takes place early in September. By the fifth or sixth 

 of that month all have left Wisconsin. By the beginning of October they have left 

 southern Missouri. As the birds are very silent after August 15, it is not an easy 

 matter to notice their southward journey. They move in loose flocks consisting of from 

 ten to twenty-five individuals. 



The Kingbird is easily kept in the cage if attended with care. Its main food should 

 consist of a diet of Mockingbird-food and crated carrot, hard-boiled egg cut in small 

 pieces, meal-worms, grass-hoppers, ant's-eggs, etc. 



NAMES: Kingbird, Tyrant, Tyrant Flycatcher, Bee-bird, Bee Martin.— Konigsvogel, Konigstyrann (German). 

 SCIENTIFIC NAMES: Lanius tyrannas Linn. (1858). Muscicapa tyrannus Wils. (1808). Tyraanus intre- 

 pidus Yieill. (1824). Tyrannus carolinensis Brd, (1858). TYRANNUS TYRANNUS Jordan. (1884-). 

 DESCRIPTION: Tail, slightly rounded, bordered white. A concealed spot on the crown, orange or ver- 

 milion-red. Upper parts, dark bluish-ash. Lower parts, pure white, tinged on the sides of the throat 

 and across the breast with bluish-ash. Wings, dark brown ; the greater coverts and quills edged with 

 pale rusty. Upper tail-coverts and upper surface of tail, as well as upper part of head, glossy-black. 

 Length, 8.50 inches; wings, 3.70; tail, 3.70 inches. 



GRAY KINGBIRD. 



Tyrannus dominicensis Richardson. 



This species is especially common in the West Indies, but it also occurs in Florida, 

 where it inhabits preferably the mangroves of the coast region. According to Mr. W. 

 E. D. Scott it arrives at Tarpon Springs, Fla., April 23, and the birds are common 

 until late in September. It breeds in great numbers on the Keys off" the coast, choosing 

 particularly localities covered with mangrove. 



