60 THE RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 



forced by numeroufl and daily flocks from all parts of th« 

 interior, they pour down on the low countries in prodigious 

 multitudes. Here they are seen, like vast clouds, wheeling 

 and driving over the meadows and devoted corn-fields, 

 darkening the air with their numbers. Then commencei 

 the work of destruction on the corn, the husks of which, 

 though composed of numerous envelopments of closely- 

 wrapped leaves, are soon completely or partially torn off; 

 while from all quarters myriads continue to pour down like 

 a tempest, blackening half an acre at a time ; and, if not 

 disturbed, repeat their depredations, till little remains but 

 the cob and the shrivelled skins of the grain ; what little is 

 left of the tender ear, being exposed to the rains and weather, 

 is generally much injured. 



All the attacks and havoc made at this time among them 

 with the gun, and by the hawks, — several species of which 

 are their constant attendants, — has little effect on the 

 remainder. When the hawks make a sweep among them, 

 they suddenly open on all sides, but rarely in time to dis- 

 appoint them of their victims ; and, though repeatedly fired 

 at, with mortal effect, they only remove from one field to 

 an adjoining one, or to another quarter of the same enclosure. 

 From dawn to nearly sunset, this open and daring devasti^ 

 kion is carried on, under the eye of the proprietor; and a 

 farmer, who has any considerable extent of com, would 

 require half-a-dozen men at least, with guns, to guard it; 

 Kud even then, all their vigilance and actiyitj would nol 



