242 msTOiiv of 



To this tribe might be added above a hundred other birds of 

 nearly the thrush size, and living like them upon fruit and ber- 

 ries. Words could not afford variety enough to describe all the 

 beautiful tints that adorn the foreign birds of the thrush kind. 



the former of these countries, I h as frequently entertained with the aerial 

 evolutions of these great bodies of starlings. Sometimes they appeared driv- 

 ing about like an enormous black cluud carried before the wind, varying ita 

 Bliape every moment. Sometimes suddenly rising from the fields around rae 

 with a noise like thunder ; while the glittering of innumerable wings of the 

 brightest vermilion amid the black cloud they formed, produced on these 

 occasions a very striking and splendid effect. Then descending like a tor- 

 rent, and covering the branches of some detached grove, or clump of trees, 

 the whole congregated multitude commenced one general concert or chorus, 

 that I have plainly distinguished at the distance of more than two miles j 

 and, when listened to at the intermediate space of about a quarter of a mile, 

 with a slight breeze of wind to swell and soften the flow of its cadences, 

 was to me grand, and even sublime. The whole season of winter, that, 

 with most birds, is past in struggling to sustain life in silent melancholy, is, 

 with the red-wings, one continued carnival. The profuse gleanings of the 

 old rice, corn, and buckwheat fields, supply them with abundant food, at 

 once ready and nutritious ; and the intermediate time is spent either in aerial 

 uiaucEuvres, or in grand vocal performances, as if solicitous to supply tlie 

 absence of all the tuneful summer tribes, and to cheer the dejected face of 

 nature witli their whole combined powers of harmony. 



Before the beginning of September, these flocks have become numerous 

 and formidable ; and the young ears of maize, or Indian corn, being then in 

 their soft succulent, milky state, present a temptation that cannot be resist- 

 ed. Reinforced by numerous and daily flocks from all (jarts of the interior, 

 tliey pour down on the low countries in prodigious multitudes. Here they 

 are seen, like vast clouds, wheeling and driving over the meadows and de- 

 voted corn fields, darkening the air with their numbers. Then commences 

 the work of destruction on the corn, the husks of wliich, though composed 

 of numerous euvelopements of closely wrapt 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 nut disturbed, re- 

 peat 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 tlie gun, and by the hawks,— several 

 species of which are their constant attendants, — has little effect on the re- 

 mainder. When the hawks make a sweep among them, they suddenly open 

 on all sides, but rarely in time to disappoint 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 inclosure. From 

 dawn to nciu-ly sunset, this open and diiring devastation is carried on, undiT 

 the eye of the proprietor ; and a farmer, who has any considerable extent 

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

 and even then, iill their vigilance and activity would not prevent a good 

 tithe of it from becoming the prey of the blackbirds. The Indians, who 



