146 BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 



some prominent out-post, in a peculiar attitude, with the wings and tail drooped and vibrating- 

 in readiness for instant action, and of dashing into the air, seizing the passing insect with a quick 

 movement and a click of the bill, and then reuirning to their stand. Although certain Oscincs 

 have somewhat the same habit, these pursue insects from place to place, instead of perching in 

 wait at a particular spot, and their forays are not made with such admirable dan. Depending- 

 entirely upon insect food, the Flycatchers are necessarily migratory in our latitude. They 

 appear with great regularity in spring and depart en the approach of cold weather in the fall. 

 The voice, susceptible of little modulation, is usually harsh and strident, though some specie* 

 have no unmusical whistle or twitter." Owes' Key, page 429. 



GENUS TYRANNUS. CUVIER. 

 444. Tyrannus, tyrannus (LINN.). 



Kingbird; Beebird. 



(Plate 24.} 



Length about 8g inches ; extent about 14 inches ; bill and feet black ; iris brown; 

 above blackish-ash ; top of head quite black ; crown with a concealed patch of orange 

 red ; lower parts pure white, tinged with pale bluish-ash on the sides of the throat 

 and across the breast; sides of breast and under the wings similar to, but rather 

 lighter than, the back ; axilleries pale grayish-brown tipped with lighter ; the wings 

 dark -brown, darkest toward the end of the quills ; the greater coverts and quills 

 edged with white, most so on the tertials ; the lesser coverts edged with paler ; upper 

 tail coverts and upper surface of the tail glossy black, the latter very dark brown 

 beneath ; all the feathers tipped, and the exterior margined externally with white, 

 forming a conspicuous terminal band about .25 of an inch broad. 



Young. Very similar but colors generally duller ; the concealed colored patch on 

 the crown wanting; the tail and wings in some specimens often edged with rusty. 



Hab. Eastern North America, from British Provinces south to Central and South 

 America. Rare west of the Rocky mountains (Utah, Nevada, Washington Ter- 

 ritory, etc.). 



This well known bird is a common summer resident in Pennsyl- 

 vania, where it arrives usually about the 25th of April. The males 

 precede the females in their arrival by some three or four days. 

 These birds generally, I think, migrate singly ; I have never observed 

 them in the spring in small flocks. During the month of February 

 and until the 20th of March, 1885, I saw no Kingbirds in various 

 localities along the St. John's river, Florida, but from the 20th of 

 March and until quite late in April these birds (in that State called 

 Field Martins) were oftentimes met with. 



The technical name tyrannus given to the subject of this present 

 sketch is particularly appropriate, as this bird during the breeding 

 season is ever on the alert, and seemingly anxious to attack his feath- 

 ered neighbors. Whenever a hawk or crow is observed flying, even 

 at a considerable distance, this little warrior immediately starts in 

 pursuit, and by his rapid flight speedily overtakes the object of hi& 

 wrath and uttering almost continually his sharp and rapid twitter, is 

 seen to mount above his adversary and make repeated and violent 

 assaults on the head of his flying victim, who, frequently, to escape 

 further persecution makes a precipitate letreat to a tree, bushes or 

 the ground. 



