284 RICE BIRD. 



extremely interesting, and emitted with a volubility bordering on the 

 burlesque, is heard from a whole party at the same time ; when, as each 

 individual is, of course, possessed of the same musical powers as his 

 neighbours, it becomes amusing to listen to thirty or forty of them be- 

 ginning one after another, as if ordered to follow in quick succession, af- 

 ter the first notes are given by a leader, and producing such a medley as it 

 is impossible to describe, although it is extremely pleasant to hear it. 

 While you are listening, the whole flock simultaneously ceases, which ap- 

 pears equally extraordinary. This curious exhibition takes place every 

 time that the flock has alighted on a tree, after feeding for a while on the 

 ground, and is renewed at intervals during the day. 



There is a very remarkable fact in the history of this species, which 

 is, that while moving eastward, during their migration, in spring, they 

 fly mostly at night ; whereas iri autumn, when they are returning south- 

 ward, their flight is diurnal. This, kind reader, is another puzzle to me. 



About the middle of May, the Boblinks reach the State of New 

 York, their stay in the intermediate States being of short duration at that 

 season, although sufficient to enable them to cause great injury to the 

 corn fields in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, where it is said, al- 

 though I can scarcely give credit to the assertion, that they cut the 

 blade near the root. This is perhaps laid to their charge for the pur- 

 pose of aggravating the real injury which they afterwards inflict on the 

 farmers, by feeding on the grain when in a milky and tender state. 

 However, they reach the States of New York and Connecticut, and ex- 

 tend their journey to the easternmost of our districts, proceeding also to 

 the borders of Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, and the St Laurence. 



By this time, they have become so plentiful, and have so dispersed 

 all over the country, that it is impossible to see a meadow or a field of 

 corn, which does not contain several pairs of them. The beauty, or, per- 

 haps more properly, the variety of their plumage, as well as of their song, 

 attracts the attention of the bird-catchers. Great numbers are captured 

 and exposed for sale in the markets, particularly in those of the city of 

 New York. They are caught in trap-cages, and feed and sing almost 

 immediately after. Many are carried to Europe, where the shipper is 

 often disappointed in his profits, as by the time they reach there, the 

 birds have changed their colours and seem all females. 



Whilst the love season lasts, the males are more sprightly than ever. 

 Their song is mostly performed in the air, while they are rising and fall- 



