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THE . TYRANT FLYCATCHER.— KING-BIRD. 
probably for a mile, when satisfied that he has done his duty, he gives his 
wings their usual quivering motion, and returns exulting and elated to his 
nest, trilling his notes all the while. 
Few Hawks will venture to approach the farm-yard while the King-bird 
is near. Even the cat in a great measure remains at home ; and, should 
she appear, the little warrior, fearless as the boldest Eagle, plunges towards 
her, with such rapid and violent motions, and so perplexes her with attempts 
to peck on all sides, that grimalkin, ashamed of herself, returns discomfited 
to the house. 
The many eggs of the poultry which he saves from the plundering Crow, 
the many chickens that are reared under his protection, safe fi-om the clutches 
of the prowling Hawks, the vast number of insects which he devours, and 
which would otherwise torment the cattle and horses, are benefits confeired 
by him, more than sufficient to balance the few raspberries and figs which he 
eats, and calculated to insure for him the favour and protection of man. 
The King-bird fears none of his aerial enemies save the Martin ; and 
although the latter frequently aids him in protecting his nest, and watching 
over the farm-yard, it sometimes attacks him with such animosity as to 
foi’ce him to retreat, the flight of the Martin being so superior to that of 
the King-bird in quickness and power, as to enable it to elude' the blows 
which the superior strength of the latter might render fatal. I knew an 
instance in which some Martins, that had been sole propi’ietoi's of a farm- 
yard for several seasons, shewed so strong an antipathy to a pair of King- 
birds, which had chanced to build their nest on a tree within a few yards 
of the house, that, no sooner had the female begun to sit on her eggs, than 
the Martin attacked the male with unremitting violence for several days, 
and, notwithstanding his courage and superior strength, repeatedly felled 
him to the ground, until he at length died of fatigue, when the female was 
beaten off in a state of despair, and forced to seek a new protector. 
The King-bird is often seen passing on the wing over a field of clover, 
diving down to the very blossoms, and l'eascending in gx’aceful undulations, 
snapping his bill, and securing various sorts of insects, now and then vary- 
ing his mode of chase in curious zigzag lines, shooting to the right and left, 
up and down, as if the object which he is pursuing were manoeuvring for 
the purpose of eluding him. 
About the month of August, this species becomes comparatively mute, and 
resorts to the old abandoned fields and meadows. There, perched on a fence- 
stake or a tall mullein stalk, he glances his eye in various directions, watch- 
ing the passing insects, after which he darts with a more direct motion. than 
in spring. Having secured one, he returns to the same or another stalk, 
beats the insect, and then swallows it. He frequently flies high over the 
