36 PURPLE GRAKLE. 



from the sudden exposure made by the plough. In vain does it hurry, 

 for the Grakle has seen and marked it for its own, and it is snatched up 

 and swallowed in a moment. . - 



Thus does the Grakle follow the husbandman as he turns one furrow- 

 after another, destroying a far worse enemy to the corn than itself, for 

 every worm which it devours would else shortly cut the slender blade, and 

 thereby destroy the plant when it would perhaps be too late to renew it 

 by fresh seed. Every reflecting farmer knows this well, and refrains from 

 disturbing the Grakle at this season. Were he as merciful at another 

 time, it would prove his grateful recollection of the services thus render- 

 ed him. But man is too often forgetful of the benefit which he has re- 

 ceived ; he permits his too commonly weak and selfish feelings to prevail 

 over his reason ; and no sooner does the corn become fit for his own use, 

 than he vows and executes vengeance on aU intruders. But to return to 

 our Blackbird. 



The season of love has arrived. Each male having, by assiduity, va- 

 lour, or good fortune, received the affectionate regards of a faithful mate, 

 unites with her in seeking a safe and agreeable retreat. The lofty dead 

 trees left standing in our newly cultivated fields, have many holes and 

 cavities, some of which have been bored by woodpeckers, and others 

 caused by insects or decay. These are visited and examined in succes- 

 sion, until a choice being made, and a few dry weeds and feathers collect- 

 ed, the female deposits her eggs, which are from four to six in number, 

 of a bluish tint, blotched and streaked with brown and black. She 

 sits vipon them while her valiant mate and guardian mounts to the 

 summit of a broken branch, pours forth his rude notes, and cheers and 

 watches her with the kindest and most unremitting care. I think I see 

 liim plunging through the air and overtaking the Red-headed or the 

 Golden-winged Woodpecker, which, in search of their last year's nest, 

 have imprudently alighted at the entrance of the already chosen and oc- 

 cupied hole. The conflict is but momentary ; the creeping bird is forced 

 to yield, and after whirling round in the air as it defends itself, and very 

 nearly comes to the ground, makes the best of its way off*, well knowing 

 that there its opponent is more formidable than even in the air. 



This over, the Grakle roams in quest of food. Little heaps of grubs, 

 with a few grains of corn, aflbrd delicious repasts to himself and his mate. 

 They thus share the labovn-s of incubation, and see the time pass in eager 

 and pleasant expectation. And now the emerging brood shake off" the 



