TUM 
7 | 
i 
100 Mr. Peabody on the E 
black plumage, make him a striking object in the 
meadows where he resides. As soon as these birds 
hear the voice of spring, they set out from the 
southern states for the north, in small flocks, the 
males singing an invitation for the females to follow. 
They often reach us before the snows are gone, and 
are seen laboring to collect worms, grubs and cater- 
pillars, as they walk with a rapid and graceful step 
over the meadows and fields. They often follow the 
ploughman to collect the insects turned up by the 
share, and move with easy confidence, knowing that 
they may trust his good nature then, if at no other 
time. In fact, they seem to know, that they can do 
for us, in the way of exterminating these enemies of 
all vegetation, what nothing else can ; and to take it 
for granted, that man, who is blessed with reason, 
will make some use of it and not deprive himself of 
services which no other creature can render. This 
calculation, like many others made on human wis- 
dom, is often disappointed, and men and hawks com- 
bine to reduce their numbers, but in vain. 
The red-wings build their nests in marshes or wet 
meadows, forming the exterior of coarse dried weeds; 
lined with fine grass or hair, and sometimes secured 
to the ground by such cordage as the place affords. 
The eggs are from four to six, light blue, thinly 
spotted with dusky. In August the young aro ready 
to associate in flocks, and this is the time when they 
are found in such countless numbers, feeding upon 
the corn. Those who make war upon them, resem- 
ble the traveller, who, annoyed by the chirping of | 
grasshoppers, alighted from his horse to put them 
