66 



TYRANT FLYCATCHER, OR KING-BIRD. 

 LANIUS TYRANNUS. 

 [Plate XIII.— Fig. 1.] 



Lanius Tyrannus^lui-^iii. Syst .136. — Lath. Syn. I, 186. — Catesb. I, 55. — Le Tyran de 

 la Caroline, Buff. IV, 577. PL enl &1&.—Arct. Zool. p. 384, No. 263.— Peale's Mu^ 

 seum, No. 578. 



THIS is the Field Martin of Maryland and some of the 

 southern states, and the King-bird of Pennsylvania and several of 

 the northern districts. The epithet Tyrant, which is generally ap- 

 plied to him by naturalists, I am not altogether so well satisfied 

 with ; some, however, may think the two terms pretty nearly syno- 

 nymous. 



The trivial name King as well as Tyrant has been bestowed 

 on this bird for its extraordinary behaviour, and the authority it 

 assumes over all others, during the time of breeding. At that sea- 

 son his extreme affection for his mate, and for his nest and young, 

 makes him suspicious of every bird that happens to pass near his 

 residence, so that he attacks without discrimination every intruder. 

 In the months of May, June, and part of July, his life is one con- 

 tinued scene of broils and battles ; in which, however, he generally 

 comes off conqueror. Hawks and Crows, the Bald Eagle, and the 

 great Black Eagle, all equally dread a rencontre with this daunt- 

 less little champion, who, as soon as he perceives one of these last 

 approaching, launches into the air to meet him, mounts to a con- 

 siderable height above him, and darts down on his back, some- 

 times fixing there to the great annoyance of his sovereign, who, if 

 no convenient retreat or resting place be near, endeavours by va- 

 rious evolutions to rid himself of his merciless adversary. But the 



