Tyrannus tyrannus. 1908 Tyrannus tyrannus Bethel July 29 (Bullying a Purple Martin) Maine. As I was walking along the street this afternoon I saw a King bird in pursuit of a Purple Martin. How the trouble originated I do not know for the two birds were in full flight and practically merged in one, so far as the eye could distinguish them when they first attracted my attention. Whatever may have been the real or imaginary offense the Martin (a young bird with already strong on the wing) got a terrible thrashing for the Kingbird followed him darting for the lawns for more than 100 yards, dealing him a and through the trees, dealing him a series of vigorous kicks on the back and rump and keeping close at his tail without apparent effort. He cried out loudly at each blow but attempted no defense. After the Kingbird gave up the pursuit the Martin rose high in air and curled off over the woods.