208 
OUR HOME BIRDS. 
behavior 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 continued 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 rencounter with 
this dauntless little champion ; who, as soon as he 
perceives one of these last approaching, launches 
into the air to meet him, mounts to a considerable 
height above him, and darts down on his back, some- 
times fixing there, to the great annoyance of his sov- 
ereign, who, if no convenient retreat or resting-place 
be near, endeavors by various evolutions to rid him- 
self of his merciless adversary. But the king-bird 
is not so easily dismounted. He teases the eagle in- 
cessantly; sweeps upon him from right to left; re- 
mounts, that he may descend on his back with the 
greater violence ; all the while keeping up a shrill 
and rapid twittering, and continuing the attack some- 
times for more than a mile, till he is relieved by some 
other of his tribe equally eager for the contest. 
“ ‘ There is one bird, however, which by its superior 
