Dusky, Gray, and Slate-colored 
love of it, without provocation, rhyme, or reason. One can but 
watch with a degree of admiration his bold sallies on the big, 
black crow or the marauding hawk, but when he bullies the 
small inoffensive birds in wanton attacks for sheer amusement, 
the charge is less entertaining. Occasionally, when the little vic- 
tim shows pluck and faces his assailant, the kingbird will literally 
turn tail and show the white feather. His method of attack is 
always when a bird is in flight; then he swoops down from the 
telegraph pole or high point of vantage, and strikes on the head or 
back of the neck, darting back like a flash to the exact spot from 
which he started. By these tactics he avoids a return blow and 
retreats from danger. He never makes a fair hand-to-hand fight, 
or whatever is equivalent in bird warfare. It is a satisfaction to 
record that he does not attempt to give battle to the catbird, but 
whenever in view makes a grand detour to give him a wide berth. 
The kingbird feeds on beetles, canker-worms, and winged 
insects, with an occasional dessert of berries. He is popularly 
supposed to prefer the honeybee as his favorite tidbit, but the 
weight of opinion is adverse to the charge of his depopulating the 
beehive, even though he owes his appellation bee martin to this 
tradition. One or two ornithologists declare that he selects only 
the drones for his diet, which would give him credit for marvel- 
lous sight in his rapid motion through the air. The kingbird is 
preeminently a bird of the garden and orchard. The nest is 
open, though deep, and not carefully concealed. Eggs are nearly 
round, bluish white spotted with brown and lilac. With truly 
royal exclusiveness, the tyrant favors no community of interest, 
but sits in regal state on a conspicuous throne, and takes his 
grand flights alone or with his queen, but never with a flock of 
his kind. 
Wood Pewee 
(Contopus virens ) Flycatcher family 
Length — 6.50 inches. A trifle larger than the English sparrow. 
Male— Dusky brownish olive above, darkest on head ; paler on 
throat, lighter still underneath, and with a yellowish tinge 
on the dusky gray under parts. Dusky wings and tail, the 
wing coverts tipped with soiled white, forming two indistinct 
bars. Whitish eye-ring. Wings longer than tail. 
Female— Similar, but slightly more buff underneath. 
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