O R I O L E. 429, 



i>eing ftrewed with rice, &c. it often happens that fo many are 

 caught that they are obliged to knock moft of them on the head 

 on the fpot, otherwife it would be impoffible to fecure fo vaft a 

 number.. 



Their common name in America is Maize-thief, which they 

 have gained from their deftroying that grain; but they do not 

 attack it except while green, when they peck an hole in the fide, by 

 which means the rain gets in and fpoils the ear; I have had it 

 hinted to me, that it is in fearch of infects that the bird does this, 

 more than for the fake of the grain ; but to this matter I can fay 

 nothing. 



Befides the above, other birds inhabit the fame places, which, 

 have every feather, even the red ones, margined with white, many 

 of which 1 have feen. Some tell me that they are young ones ; 

 others, that they are a diftinct fpecies, which do not keep com- 

 pany with the others; and, not a few, that they are the females; 

 but what has been fhewn me for a female, by an intelligent ob- 

 ferver, had no red on the wing, yet was margined with white like 

 the others. My own opinion is, that neither fex gains, the full 

 black till mature age, and that the female never does. I obferve 

 among the mottled ones, fome which have the red on the wing 

 almoft compleat ; others, the fame, but paler in colour; others, 

 again, with the rudiment only ; and laftly, a few with not the- 

 leaft trace of it. I obferve likewife, that in all the mottled ones 

 there is an obfcure pale ftreak over the eye, which is not viable 

 in the full black ones. The above want investigation; and it is 

 to be hoped that fome future curious obferver will take fome. 

 pains to fetus to rights in this matter. 



Tjoapial&j 



