FAMILY X. 
CAN Dili, Illiger. 
GENUS XVI. — MUSCICAPA, Linnjlus. 
74 . MUSCICAPA TYBANNUS , BRISSON, WILSON, AND LINNAEUS. 
TYRANT FLYCATCHER, OR KING BIRD. 
WILSON, PLATE XIII. FIG. I. EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
This is the held martin of Maryland and some of the 
southern States, and the king- bird of Pennsylvania and 
several of the northern districts. The epithet tyrant , 
which is generally applied to him by naturalists, I am 
not altogether so well satisfied with ; some, however, 
may think the two terms pretty nearly synonymous. 
The trivial name king as well as tyrant has been 
bestowed on this bird for its extraordinary behaviour, 
and the authority it assumes over all others, during the 
time of breeding. At that season 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 per- 
ceives one of these last approaching, lanches into the 
air to meet him, mounts to a considerable height above 
him, and darts down on his back, sometimes fixing 
there to the great annoyance of his sovereign, who, if 
no convenient retreat or resting place be near, endear 
vours by various evolutions to rid himself of his merci- 
less adversary. But the king bird is not so easily 
