. American ornithology, or, The natural history of the birds of the United States [microform]. Birds; Oiseaux. di' ' llm '; ^. Gknob XL. MUSCICAPA. FLYCATCHER. Species L M. TYRANNUS. TYRANT FLYCATCHER, or KING-BIRD. [PlaUXIH. Fig. 1.] Ijonius Tyrannwt, Linn. Syat. 130.—Lath. Sijn i., 186.—Catesb. i., 55.— ie Tyran dt la Caroline, Birr, iv., 577. /'/. Enl. 676.—AM. Zool. p. .384, No. 263. This is the Field 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 genenilly applied to him by naturalis
. American ornithology, or, The natural history of the birds of the United States [microform]. Birds; Oiseaux. di' ' llm '; ^. Gknob XL. MUSCICAPA. FLYCATCHER. Species L M. TYRANNUS. TYRANT FLYCATCHER, or KING-BIRD. [PlaUXIH. Fig. 1.] Ijonius Tyrannwt, Linn. Syat. 130.—Lath. Sijn i., 186.—Catesb. i., 55.— ie Tyran dt la Caroline, Birr, iv., 577. /'/. Enl. 676.—AM. Zool. p. .384, No. 263. This is the Field 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 genenilly 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 behavior, and the authority it assumes over all others, during the time of breeiling. At that season his extreme affec- tion for his mate, and for his nest and young, makes him suspicious of every bird that happens to pass near his residence, so that ho 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 coii<[ueror. Hawks and Crows, the IJald Eagle, and the Great Black Eagle, all equally dread a rencontre with this dauntless little champion, who, as soon as he per- ceives one of these last approaching, launoln's into the air to meet him, mounts to a considerabh* height above him, and darts tlown on his back, sometimes fixing there to the great annoyance of his sovereign, who, if no convenient retreat or resting place bo near, endeavors by various evolutions to rid himself of his rn "ciless adversary. Hut the King-bird is not so easily dismounted. II< leases the Eagle , sweeps upon liim from right and left, remounts, that he may descend on his back with the greater violence; all the while keeping up a shrill
Size: 1392px × 1795px
Photo credit: © Library Book Collection / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectois
