16 HIGHWAYS Amy BYWAYS. 



iridescence as rich and brilliant as that of the wood 

 duck or the wild pigeon. 



The redwing, or American starling, is smaller than 

 the grackle or crow blackbird, and although less brill- 

 iant, has stronger markings. The male is black, with 

 the exception of the shoulders, which are bright scar- 

 let, with buff and orange edgings. These epaulets are 

 conspicuous, and give him a jaunty, military appear- 

 ance well in keeping with his character. On his first 

 arrival his habits are much like those of the or-rackle. 



o 



He likes a perch on an upper twig or limb, where he 

 will cluck and call, gurgle and whistle, as the mood 

 overtakes him. One seldom hears a pleasanter musicale 

 than was given one morning in Rumsey park by these 

 bright-colored minstrels. It was just after sunrise. A 

 robin began with his sweet old story of "Cherries, 

 cherries, to be ripe in June;" a grackle from an ever- 

 green interrupted wdtli "Forme? Are they for me ? " 

 Then some redAvings from a neighboring willow 

 chimed in, " Oh ! what glee we shall see." One thought 

 of Emerson's "May Day:" 



Why cliidest thou the tardy spring? 

 The blackbirds make the maples ring 



With social cheer and jubilee: 



The redwing flutes his ok-a-lee. 



The redwings often stop several days in or about the 

 city in the localities favored with tall trees, but on the 

 arrival of the females, which is frequently two or three 

 weeks later, they are off to low meadows, marshes or 

 swamps, in which to nest, probably influenced by the 



