100 
THE KING-BIRD. 
insects, capturing them while on the wing. They include several sub- 
families — the mourners, the alectrones, the becards, and the tyrants. 
The last are ver}^ numerous in the warm forest-regions of the New 
World, and the fork-tailed flycatcher is seldom found further north. 
Their flight is rapid, and they secure their prey by descending on 
it with a sudden swoop. Though insects form the staple of their food, 
they live also on berries, small fish, and reptiles. They rank among 
the most courageous of birds, especially in the breeding season, when 
they will gallantly sally forth against crow, hawk, or eagle if he 
approach their nest ; and by their pertinacity generally compel him 
to seek safety in a prudent retreat. This chivalrous valour attains 
its climax in the species known in the United States as the king- 
bird, the tyrant flycatcher, or Tyrannus intrepidus; and hence, during 
the season of incubation, his life is a continued series of '•' broils and 
battles." Hawks and crows, the bald eagle and the great black eagle, 
— ^he attacks them all, and all equally dread his attacks. No sooner 
does he perceive one of them approaching his home, which is cunningly 
built on the branch of a tree, and composed of small twigs and dried 
flowers, than he launches out into the air to meet and defy him, 
Risino: to a considerable height above him, he 
darts down on his back ; sometimes clinging 
there, like Sinbad to the Old Man of the Sea. 
while the eao-le in vain endeavours to free 
himself from his vexatious little adversary. 
He teases him without intermission, sweeps 
upon him from right to left, remounts, that he 
may descend on his back with greater 
cx violence; all the while keeping 
f'' i ^ shrill and rapid twitter- 
SIMO TODV, OK KUYAL CHEAT CliSST. 
