54 
MUSCICAPA TYRANNUS. 
pair, and build their nest. This i^enerally takes plat* 
about the first week in May. The nest is very oftt* 
built in the orchard, on the horizontal branch of a* 
apple tree ; frequently also, as Catesby observes, on * 
sassafras tree, at no ffreat height from the ground. Th? 
outside consists of small slender twigs, tops of withcrC* 
flowers of the plant yarrow, and others, well wot* 
together with tow and wool; and is made large, a"* 
remarkably firm and compact. Tt is nsu.ally lined wi*^ 
fine dry fibrous grass, and horse hair. The eggs are fit* 
of a very pale cream colour, or dull white, marked rvit^ 
a few large si)ots of deep purple, and other smaller oD<* 
of light brown, chiefly, though not altogether, towio-^*' 
the great end. They generally build twice in the seasoK' 
The king bird is altogether destitute of song, havin? 
only the shrill twitter above mentioned. His usiio] 
mode of flight is singular. The vibrations of his broa'' 
wings, as he moves slowly over the fields, reserobl* 
those of a hawk Iiovcring and settling in the air 1* 
reeonnoitre the ground below ; and the object of tb* 
king bird is no doubt something similar, viz. to look o>*^ 
for passing insects, either in the air, or amonn- tb* 
flowers and blossoms below him. In fields of pastof* 
he often takes his stand, on the tops of the mullein, aBj 
other rank weeds, near the cattle, and makes occasion** 
sweeps after passing insects, particularly the large bla^b 
gadfly, so terrifying to horses and cattle. Ilis ej'* 
moves restlessly around him, traces the flight of 
insect for a moment or two, then that of a second, an* 
even a third, until he perceives one to his liking, whe*' 
with a sin-ill sweep, he pursues, seizes it, and returns 
the same spot again, to look out for more. This bob'* 
is so conspicuous when he is watching the bee-hi’’*’ 
that several intelligent farmers of my acquaintance a** 
of opinion th.at he picks out only the drones, and nev*^ 
injures the working bees. Be this as it may, he certain^ 
gives a ])reference to one bee, and one species of insce^ 
over another. He hovers over the river, sometimes 1®*^ 
a considerable time, darting after insects that freqiicn* 
such places, snatching them from the surface of tb* 
