Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-06-05
The King-bird's Virtues.

In his exhaustive work, "Amencan In
sects," Professor Kellogg declares that
insects cause aloss OF one hundred mil
lion dollars yearly to farmers and truit-
growers of this country. The amount is
large enough to cause any one to reflect.
The agriculturist must wage uncompro-
missing warfare upon these pests, and
welcome the aid of every agency that
will assist him in the battle. The most
jealous enemy OF insect life in the bird.
The damage done by any species hardly
ever equals the good il does to field and
orchard.
| can recall a time, says Mr.. Charles S.
Moody, when people supposed that the
king bird chased and ate the honey-bees.
We called him "bee-bird, " "bee-mar-
tin, "bee- -robber,"' and other harsh and
unjust names.
What are the actual facts about this
birds food? The king-bird eats almost
no bees at all, but he does live on-preda-
tory insects that are injurious to the agri-
culturist and decidedly obnoxious. The
vegetable part of his menu is made up OF
wild berries having no commercial value
whatever.
once watched several Of pairs king
birds through one nesting season. The
first pair arrived about the middle OF APP
ril, and spent several noisy days choos-
ing nesting site. They finally decided
upon crotch in limb OF an old apple
tree that stood just behind the smoke
house. Just at the rear OF this house
there were several hives OF bees. Dur
ing the nest-building season, which last
ed all April, the birds were too much oc-
cupied to eat great deal.
When the nest was completed, and the
little brown lady had deposited therein
one white-b brown blotched egg, they
seemed disposed 10 settle down. 1t was
common to see the male sitting on an
outpost limb watching. Every few min
utes he would make short excursions into
the air, nab a flying insect, and return
with it 10 the limb, or carry il directly to
his mate. Although the air was full Of
working bees, | never saw him molest
them once; nor did the closest scrutiny
through a pair of powerful binoculars
show anything resembling bee in his
mouth.
After the female had laid six eggs, the
gentlem an became the breadwinner in
fact. He spent his hours scanning all
the air, visiting the tree trunks and
hedgerows in search OF food. Many
times day he came to the nest with an
insect in his bill, which he fed to his lady
with much pride. In mid dne the young
were hatched, and then the parents were
busy pair indeed.
The bill of fare was varied, consisting
OF beetles, moths, caterpillars, butterflies,
and many kinds of flies. Hundreds Of
click beetles the larvae of which pro-
duces the wireworm) were carried to the
hungry youngsters. Then came May
beetles, which the parents had 10 ham,
mer to pieces before the young could eat
them. There were great many moths
of the destructive caterpillar that
work such devastation in apple orchards.
Next came the rose and asparagus-bee-
ties, flies injurious to stock, then grass
hoppers and crickets. Late in the season
detected the birds gathering bees, but
the closest investigation failed to disclose
a worker bee. The bees captured were
invariably drones evicted from the hives,
and picked up by tile birds early in the
morning.
SO much for the king birds food. Ev-
cry tarm boy knows OF the pugnlcous
disposition Of the little fellow. Ornithol-
ogists know it, too, and they named him
Tyrannus, and tyrant he is where other
birds are concerned II a Cooper'S
hawk came sailing along, his eye out for
fat pulIet, little Tyrannus goes valiantly
forth to do battle The hawk is harried,
pecked and pelted until he is glad to es-
cape. If Mr.. Crow comes alone nest
hunting, the first one TO spy him is the
king bird; he sounds call to battle, and
launches himself into the air. In ten Sec
onds the air is filled with screaming,
scolding king birds, and the crow forgetS
all about eggs, and gets back into the
woods as quickly as he can. The king
birds return TO their sentry posts, flutter
their wings, raise and lower their black
crests aggressively, and talk over the en-
counter in vociferous tones.
Foster the king-birds. about your place.
Put old rags and raveling where they
may get them for nest material, cultivate
their friendship, and be sure they are
your best insect-gleanerS.
When the Game Was Called.
Casey announced to his wife Ellen that