130 



"The exquisite of the species, and the braggart of the orchard is the kingbird, a 

 bully that loves to strip the feathers off its more timid neighbors, like the bluebird, 

 that feeds on the stingless bees of the hive, the drones, and earns the reputation of 

 great boldness by teasing large hawks, while it gives a wide berth to little ones." 



Of its bee-eating. Dr. Coues says it " destroys a thousand noxious insects for 

 every bee it eats." 



MYIARCHUS. Cabanis. Crested Flycatchers. 



131. M. CRINITUS. Cab. Scarcely crested; olivaceoiis, yellow below, with 

 bright chestnut on wings and tail; T. 8^; W. 4; T. 4. 



The "wild Irishman " of the flycatchers — " a sandy-complexioned or leather-col- 

 ored bird that prowls through the woods, uttering its harsh, uncanny note, and 

 waging warfare upon its fellows." It is also noted for the habitual use of cast-off 

 snake skins in the structure of its nest. {Coues.) 



SAYORNIS. Bon. Pe^vees. 



132. S. FUSCUS. Bd. PIurbe-Bird. Pewit, Flycatcher. Olive brown, head 

 and tail darker; yellow below, more or less; bill black; L. 7; W. 3)^; T. 3^. A 

 common summer resident ; one of the firstlings of the spring ; readily known by 

 its black bill. 



This is a sweet-voiced bird, beloved of the poets. Trowbridge has studied its 

 habits in the dark recesses of the woods it haunts, and immortalized it in a poem 

 which is good poetry as well as good ornithology ; 



The listening Dryads hushed the woods ; 

 The boughs were thick, and thin and few 

 The golden ribbons fluttered through ;=■"•'• 

 Only a little forest brook 

 The farthest hem of silence shook ; 

 When in the hollow shades I heard — 

 Was it a spirit or a bird ? 

 Or, strayed from Eden, desolate, 

 Some Peri calling to her mate 

 ^Vhom nevermore her mate would cheer ? 

 ' ' Pe-ri ! j^e-ri ! peer." 



To trace it to its green retreat 



I sought among the boughs in vain ; 



I quit the search and sat me down 

 Beside the brook, irresolute, 

 And watched a little bird in suit- 

 Of sombre olive soft and brown, 

 Perched in the maple branches, mute ; 

 With greenish gold its nest was fringed, 

 Its tiny cap was ebon-tinged, 

 With ivory pale its wings were barred. 

 And its dark eyes were tender-starred. 

 "Dear bird," I said, "what is thy name?"^ 

 And thrice the mournful answer came, 

 So faint and far, and yet so near: 

 ' 'Pe-wee ! pe-wee ! peer ! " 



