174 RICE BUNTING. 



females among them. The latter may be distinguished from 

 the former by being of a rather more shining yellow on the 

 breast and belly; it is the same with the young birds of the first 

 season. 



During the breeding season they are dispersed over the coun- 

 try; but as soon as the young are able to fly, they collect togeth- 

 er in great multitudes, and pour down on the oat fields of New 

 England like a torrent, depriving the proprietors of a good tithe 

 of their harvest; but in return often supply his table with a very 

 delicious dish. From all parts of the north and western regions 

 they direct their course towards the south; and about the middle 

 of August revisit Pennsylvania on their rout to winter quarters. 

 For several days they seem to confine themselves to the fields 

 and uplands; but as soon as the seeds of the reed are ripe they 

 resort to the shores of the Delaware and Schuylkill in multi- 

 tudes; and these places, during the remainder of their stay, ap- 

 pear to be their grand rendezvous. The reeds, or wild oats, 

 furnish them with such abundance of nutritious food, that in 

 a short time the} become extremely fat; and are supposed by 

 some of our epicures, to be equal to the famous Ortolans of 

 Europe. Their note at this season is a single chink, and is heard 

 over head, with little intermission, from morning to night. 

 These are halcyon days for our gunners of all descriptions, and 

 many a lame and rusty gun barrel is put in requisition for the 

 sport. The report of musketry along the reedy shores of the 

 Schuylkill and Delaware is almost incessant, resembling a 

 running fire. *Bhe markets of Philadelphia, at this season, ex- 

 hibits proofs of the prodigious havoc made among these birds; 

 for almost every stall is ornamented with strings of Reed-birds. 

 This sport, however, is considered inferior to that of Radl-shoot- 

 ing, which is carried on at the same season and places with 

 equal slaughter. Of this, as well as of the Rail itself, we shall 

 give a particular account in its proper place. 



Whatever apology the people of the eastern and southern 

 states may have for the devastation they spread among the Rice 

 and Reed-Birds, the Pennsylvanians, at least those living in 



