BIRDS. -17 



The ocotzimtzcan, for instance, is one of the most splendid 

 tenants of the Mexican forests ; but few, I believe, wonld de- 

 sire to leurn the name, only to be informed that it is covered 

 with purple, green, and yellow plumage. To describe such 

 birds, the historian's pen is not half such a useful implement as 

 the painter's pencil. 



tlicm are shot wliile in this situation. A person told mp.that he once rode furi- 

 ously into one of these rolling multitudes, and picked up thirteen pigeons, 

 which had been trampled to death by his horse's feet. In a few minutes, 

 they will beat the whole nuts from a tree with their wings, while all is a 

 scramble, both above and below, for the same. They have the same cooing 

 notes common to domestic pigeons, but much less of their gesticulations. 

 In some flocks you will find nothing but young ones, which are easily dis- 

 tinguishable by their motley dress. In others, they will be mostly females ; 

 and again, great multitudes of males, with few or no females. I cannot 

 account for this in any other way than that, during the time of incubation, 

 the males are exclusively engaged in procuring food, both for themselves 

 and their mates j and the young, being un.iblo yet to undertake these ex- 

 tensive excursions, associate together accordingly. But, even in winter, I 

 know of several species of birds who separate in this manner, particuhu-iy 

 the red-winged starling, among which tliousiuids of old males may be found, 

 with few or no young or females along with them." 



irJ. 



