The Washington herald., 1911-05-07

circles around trees and houses and hnally
roll and toss about III the green grass untii
one or the other retires from the struggle
or dies the fight.
Generally it 10 the king bird that expires,
although | have seen purple marten SO
weakened and cut up by its enemy that u
could not fly for weeks again. 1t Is very sell
dom that either bird will give up until one Is
killed or some outside disturbance separates
them.
These two birds are favorites of the barn
yard and house, for when they are nesting
near by, hawks, owls and crows Will very
seldom venture to come upon the premises
to steal chickens, pigeons or corn. They
have wholesome dread oi these two small
fighters.
The little humming bird that fits from
OF flight which cannot be equaled by that
Of any other bird. 1t darts away so swiftly
that the eye cannot follow 1t more than'a lew
seconds.
Like the bees IT goes about It's business
quietly, bui when II is disturbed IN the nest
ing season 1t turns upon It's enemy with the
sharpness and apparently with the icroclty
OF a bird OF prey. Should leathcred enemy
appear near It's nest ot young ones 1t can he
seen dartIrg back and forth with movements
so quick that 1t Is almost impossible TO COM
prehend Its meaning.
A closer observation will enable one to see
that with every dive at the enemy 1t strikes
n powerful. blow with its long. sharp bill. So
utterly bewildering Is this attack that the
other bird will make no effort to return the
blows, but simply steals away to some safer
perch.
The hunmlng bird. in this way. is really
the king lighting bird OF the woods. No
other winged creature either large or small
can face 1t and hope to have any success IN
an encounter with 1t. Its method OF attack
and rapid cvoiutions are SO confusing that
other bird. appear bcwildcrcd and confused
in a battle with this small warrior After 1t
has driven an enemy away IT Is SAT isted, and
returns TO It's nest quietly.
All OF the tiy-catchers and swallows arc
good fighters, although some have not the
natural courage OF others, and do not cover
themselves with glory in an encounter. They
are rapid on the wing, but lack o system
prevents them from accomplishing a victory.
The chimney swallow undoubtedly possesses
greater powers OF wing than any other bird,
excepting always the hummng birds. Yet
the swallows are very poor lighters They
will generally trust to their powers OF flight
to escape an enemy rather than attempt to
offer battle. Nevertheless, when cornered and
brought to dangerous pass, they Will show
an unusual amount OF pluck.
| have watched them tight under an old
barn with other swallows, and their cvolu.
tons have been startling. The battle Is de-
cided IN few minutes. and one settles down.
whipped, while the victorious bird SKINS away
over the fields or high IN the ar, AS II to
crow over his triumph.
a small flying animal, but a spitetul enemy,
Is the bat Even the night hawks and the
owls leave this queer-lookIng httic creature
alone, as II fits around IN the darkness. Its
movements are noscless. and IN the early
twilight it appears Ikea shadow flashing
through the semi-darkness. 1t pursues the
insects and bugs with endless perseverance.
rising, falling, doubling, circhng and perform
ing all conc cIvable cvoutions.
IL seldom attacks a bird. but when II IL
called upon to hight its teeth, claws and
wings are employed. 1t fastens itself to ITS
enemy with terrible tenacity and nothing can
shake the creature oil, while the sharp teeth
are buried IN the body or neck. 1t fits close
up to the head OF the voracious night hawk
and stealthy owl, swapping ITS teeth III their
faces with menacing insolence.