KINGBIRD.—Family Tyrannidse. 
444. Tyrannus tyrannus. 8% inches. 
From the time of their arrival Kingbirds are much in evi¬ 
dence about farmyards and orchards. They are very noisy 
birds, ready for a quarrel at any time and usually come off 
victorious in whatever they undertake. They seem to delight 
in driving away crows, and may frequently be seen to alight 
on the back of one when chasing them. These are found only 
on the eastern slope of the Rockies and eastward, where they 
are very common. 
Nest.—is placed in almost any kind of trees m open fields or 
woods. Nearly every orchard will have one or more pairs breed¬ 
ing. Their nests are made of twigs, roots, or strips of fiber 
from vines and lined with the down from catkins and horse 
hair. Three to five creamy white eggs, mottled and streaked 
with brown and lilac, are laid (.95 x.70). 
ARKANSAS KINGBIRD. 
447. Tyrannus verticalis. 9 inches. 
A more western variety, lighter in color and with a bright 
yellow breast and under parts. Its habits are much the same 
as the above in its home building or in trying to find a neigh¬ 
bor to quarrel with. The eggs are the same in size and color. 
146 
