A species of fly-catcher, also called the Bee-martin.
1801. Now he has a number of them picking at him, just as a parcel of King-birds will pick at a Crow.—Mass. Spy, Nov. 25.
1821. Birds of prey in this country are of many kinds; yet, if we except the Common or Hen-hawk, are few in number. It is a remarkable fact that the King-Bird or Bee-eater, is an over-match for any of them.—T. Dwight, ‘Travels,’ i. 53.
1858. If ever you saw a crow with a king-bird after him, you will get an image of a dull speaker and a lively listener.—Holmes, ‘The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table,’ chap. ii.
