THE BIRDS’ WATCHMEN 261 
out a screech which brought the kingbirds to his 
side in a hurry. But their services were not re¬ 
quired, for the woodpecker stood not on the order 
of his going, and I don’t believe he has ventured 
near since.” 
“ Hmm,” mused Uncle John, “ that does 
sound bad for friend Redhead. But I can’t help 
but like the merry drummers, and indeed egg¬ 
stealing is so infrequent among them that such 
doings are believed to be the work of some degen¬ 
erate member rather than a family trait. The 
redheads wear the national colors, red, white, and 
blue so well that they are often called the flag 
birds, but alas for their reputation, sometimes 
their blue is so black that they have been accused 
of wearing the German colors.” 
“ Doubtless it was such a one who robbed the 
brown thrashers,” Tommy declared. “ Where do 
the kingbirds nest? I’ve hunted high and low 
without success.” 
“ The favorite site is an apple branch high up, 
but they will occupy almost any tree about the 
garden and lawn. Grasses, moss and weed stalks 
form the carefully made nest; the lining is of 
plant down and fine grasses. There are from 
four to six rosy white or creamy eggs, softly 
spotted with brown and lilac. The young 
king-birds are fretful, obstreperous little chaps 
who cry a great deal, doubtless deeming that 
