CHAPTER XIX. 
ROYAL BIRRS. 
“ fT^HIS,” said Miss Harson, as she turned to the 
J- picture of a slate-colored bird with a glowing 
crest, “ is the king-bird, or tyrant fly-catcher, though 
he really ought to be called bee-eater, he is so fond 
of those insects.” 
The children saw a bird about eight inches long, 
of a dark, slaty ash-color, the head and tail nearly 
black, edged with white, and the under parts pure 
white ; the plumage on the crown was raised to show 
the belt of brilliant orange or flame-color that makes 
his appearance so striking. 
“Eats bees!” repeated Clara in astonishment: “I 
should think they would sting him. — Don’t you re- 
member, Malcolm, when you bit into that apple in 
the orchard that had a bee in it, and how dreadfully 
your mouth felt?” 
Malcolm did remember it distinctly, and decided 
that if he were a bird he would not get his living by 
eating bees. 
The governess continued : “ That is another accom- 
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