The Kingbird 
SCATTERED records from the northeastern corner of the State 
establish a suspicion that the Eastern Kingbird is among the rare breed¬ 
ers. If so, it is probably on the increase; and this hope may justify a 
few paragraphs not “made in California.” 
“No one has come forward with a theory to account for the testiness 
of this bird’s 
temper, nor for 
the domineering 
qualities which 
distinguish him 
above all others; 
but I hazard that 
it is because his 
glowing crown is 
partially con¬ 
cealed by bour¬ 
geois black. 
Those whose 
regal marks are 
more patent are 
wont to receive 
homage as mat¬ 
ter of course, but 
the scion of an 
unacknowledged 
house, a feath¬ 
ered Don Carlos, 
must needs 
spend a fretful life in defense of his claims. Toward those who knuckle 
down tamely the little tyrant is often very gracious, and it may be con¬ 
ceded that he does perform a real service in holding the common enemies 
at bay. Who has not seen him as he quits his perch on some commanding 
tree and hurries forward, choking with vengeful utterance, to meet and 
chastise some murderous hawk, who before any other foe is brave? 
Down comes the avenger! The Hawk shies with a guttural cry of rage 
and terror, while a little puff of feathers scatters on the air to tell of the 
tyrant’s success. Again and again the quick punishment falls, until 
the tiny scourge desists, and returns, shaking with shrill laughter, to give 
his mate an account of his adventure. 
“The food of the Kingbird consists entirely of insects, caught on 
the wing for the most part, by sallies from some favorite perch. His eye¬ 
sight must be very good, as he not infrequently spies his prey at distances 
8jo 
