Page:Bird-lore Vol 08.djvu/153

 A Kingbird Family By A. D. WHEDON With Photographs by the Author THE life of a Kingbird is not the purely tyrannical existence that popular opinion would lead us to believe. In spite of the fact that he is tyrant of tyrants {Tyrannus tyrannus) among flycatchers and usually master elsewhere, he often suffers undeservedly, even from others of the feathered kind. However this may seem to those acquainted with the bird, it is certain that misfortunes did not come singly to the pair that nested last spring in my garden. The only result of their first attempt at home-making was the addition of a set of eggs to the collection of some vouthful naturalist. The fruitless- ness of the effort did not wholly discourage them, for, late in the season, a new nest was built in an old apple tree. They placed it in the highest suitable crotch, and when I first visited them in early July the nest contained two eggs; a few days later the number was increased to four. But even their second venture was not an entire success. The new location was frequented by noisy and meddlesome neighbors. Whole flocks of English Sparrows often settled around, and almost upon the nest, being made to retreat from the royal stronghold only by the continual and determined activity of the owners. Just across the garden was a Blue Jay's nest and consequently a center from which more vexations came, while, to prevent anything like peaceful life, a scolding Catbird was a constant occu- pant of the tree. The anxiety of the Kingbirds, together with a knowledge of the doubtful character of their avian visitors, made me watch affairs closely, but notwith- standing my care two of the four eggs disappeared soon after being laid, without the culprit being discovered. As I desired to study the life at the nest, a blind was arranged for myself and camera near the apple tree; and when the eggs had hatched and the two little birds were nine or ten days old I brought their home, branch and