OF NORTH CAROLINA. 229 



any carrion. They are great enemies to corn fields, 

 and cry and build almost like rooks. 



Black birds. — Of these we have two sorts, which 

 are the worst vermin in America. They fly some- 

 times in such flocks that they destroy every thing 

 before them. They (both sorts) build in hollow 

 trees as starlings do. The first sort is near as big 

 as a dove, and is very white and delicate food. 

 The other sort is very beautiful and about the big- 

 ness of the owsel. Part of their head next to the 

 \)ill, and the pinions of their wings are of an orange 

 and glorious crimson color. They are as good 

 meat as the former, though very few here (where 

 large fowl are so plenty) ever trouble themselves 

 to kill or dress them. 



Of the bunting larks we have two sorts, though 

 the heel of this bird is not so long as in Europe. 

 The first of these often accompany the black bti'ds, 

 and sing as the bunting larks in England do, dif- 

 fering very little. The first sort has an orange 

 color on the tops of their wings, and are as good 

 meat as those in Europe. The other sort is some- 

 thing less of a lighter color ; nothing differing 

 therein from those in England as to feathers, big- 

 ness, and meat. 



The pheasant of Carolina difi:ers some small 

 matter from the English pheasant, being not so 

 big, and having some difference in feather ; yet 

 he is not anywise inferior in delicacy, but is as 

 good meat or rather finer. He haunts the back 

 woods and is seldom found near the inhabitants. 



All 



