lil II l)S. 



243 



The brilliant gii>en of the emerald, the flaming red of the ruby, 

 the purple of the amethyst, or the bright blue of the sapphire, 

 could not, by the most artful combination, show any thing so 

 truly lively or deli-htful to the sight, as the feathers of the chil- 



usuully plant their corn in one goiicral field, keep the whole young boys of 

 the villai,'e all day patrolling round and among it ; and each being- fu^ni^lu•d 

 with boAV and an-ows, with which they are very expert, they generally con 

 trive to destroy great numbers of them. 



It must, however, be observed, that this scene of pillage is principally 

 carried on in the low countries, not far from the sea-coast, or near the ex- 

 tensive tlats that border our large rivers ; and is also chiefly confined to the 

 months of August and September. After this period, the corn having ac- 

 quired its hard shelly coat, and the seeds of the reeds or wild oats, with a 

 profusion of other plants, that abound along the river slimes, being now 

 ripe, and in great abundance, they present a new and more extensive field 

 for these marauding multitudes. The reeds also supply them with conve- 

 nient roosting places, being often in almost luiapproachable morasses ; and 

 thither they repair every evening from all quarters of the country. In 

 some places, however, when the reeds become dry, advantage is taken of 

 this circumstance, to destroy these birds, by a party secretly approaching 

 the place, under cover of a dark night, setting fire to the reeds in several 

 plaies at once, which being soon enveloped in one geneHal flame, the uproar 

 among the blackbirds becomes universal ; and, by the light of the conflagra- 

 tion, they are shot down in vast numbers while hovering and screaming over 

 the place. Sometimes straw is used for the same purpose, being previous, 

 ly strewed near the reeds and alder bushes, where they are known to roost, 

 which being instantly set on fire, the consternation and havoc is prodigimis ; 

 and the party return by day to pick up the slaughtered game. About the 

 first of November, they begin to move oft' towards the soiiUi ; though, near 

 the sea coast, in the states of New Jersey and Delaware, they continue long 

 after that period. 



Such are the general manners and character of the rod-winged starling ; 

 but there remain some facts to be mentioned, no less authentic, and well 

 deserving the consideration of its enemies, more espe<-ially, of those whose 

 detestation of tbis species, would stop at nothing short of total extirpation. 



It hiisbeen already stated, that they arrive in Pennsylvania late in March. 

 Their general food at this season, as well as during the fiirly part of sum. 

 mer, (for the crows and purple grakles are the principal pests in planting 

 time,) consists of grub-worms, cater]iillars, and various other larva", the 

 silent, but deadly enemies of all vegetation, and whose secret and insidious 

 attacks are more to be dreaded by the husbandman than the combined forces 

 of the whole feathered tribes together. For these vermin, the starlings 

 search with great diligence ; in tlie ground, at the roots of plants, in or. 

 chards, and meadows, as well as among buds, leaves, and blossoms ; and, 

 from their known voracity, the multitudes of these insects which they des- 

 troy must be immense. Let me illustrate this by a short computation ; If 

 we suppose each bird, on an avcriige, to devour fifty of these larva; in a day 

 1,B very moderate allowance), a single pair, in lour numtlis, the usual time 

 eiich food is sought after, will consume upwards of twelve thousand. It ii 



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