4 04 T Y R A N T F L Y - C A T C H E R.
watch the motions of different insects, deviate a little from the course of
their playful rounds, and with a sweeping dart secure and swallow the
prey in an instant. Probably the next sees them perched on the twig of
a tree, close together, and answering the calls of nature.
The choice of a place being settled by the happy pair, they procure
small dry twigs from the ground, and rising to a horizontal branch, arrange
them as the foundation of their cherished home. Flakes of cotton,
wool or tow, and other substances of a similar nature, are then placed in
thick and regular layers, giving great bulk and consistence to the fabric,
which is finally lined with fibrous roots and horse-hair. The female then
deposits her eggs, which are from four to six in number, broadly ovate,
reddish-white, or blush colour, irregularly spotted with brown. No sooner
has incubation commenced, than the male, full of ardour, evinces the
most daring courage, and gallantly drives off every intruder. Perched
on a twig not far from his beloved mate, in order to protect and defend
her, he seems to direct every thought and action to these objects. His
snow-white breast expands with the warmest feelings; the feathers of his
head are raised and spread, the bright orange spot laid open to the rays
of the sun ; he stands firm on his feet, and his vigilant eye glances over
the wide field of vision around him. Should he spy a Crow, a Vulture,
a Martin, or an Eagle, in the neighbourhood or at a distance, he spreads
his wings to the air, and pressing towards the dangerous foe, approaches
him, and commences his attack with fury. He mounts above the enemy,
sounds the charge, and repeatedly plunging upon the very back of his
more powerful antagonist, essays to secure a hold. In this manner, harassing
his less active foe with continued blows of his bill, he follows him
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 from
the clutches of the prowling Hawks, the vast number of insects which he
T Y R A N T F L Y - C A T C H E R. 405
devours, and which would otherwise torment the cattle and horses, are
benefits conferred 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 force 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 winch some Martins, that had been sole proprietors of a farmyard
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 reascending in graceful undulations,
snapping his bill, and securing various sorts of insects, now and
then varying 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,
watching 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 large rivers and lakes, sailing and dashing about in
pursuit of insects. Again, gliding down towards the water, he drinks in
the manner of various species of Swallow. When the weather is very
warm, he plunges repeatedly into the water, alights after each plunge on
the low branch of a tree close by, shakes off the water and plumes himself,
when, perceiving some individuals of his tribe passing high over
head, he ascends to overtake them, and bidding adieu to the country,
proceeds towards a warmer region.