«34 
N£STS AND EGGS OF 
appear iu the midst of a violent snow-storm, although somewhat discon- 
certed however, but apparently as jolly as when fair weather prevails. 
The snow has little dread for them, but if long-standing, often puts them 
to the direst extremity so far as food is concerned. But they manage to 
live through the ordeal, some at least, and carry out their nature-appointed 
projects. 
Seldom do we observe in our Northern States very large flocks of 
these birds during the vernal migration, but loose, scattered j^arties of a 
hundred, or less. Upon arrival they keep aloof from wooded regions, and 
manifest a predilection for ploughed flelds and meadows, where they de- 
stroy large quantities of worms and beetles. Few species are more hated 
by the farmer. This hatred is to he attributed to the injuries which it 
commits. AVhen the corn has been planted, it visits the flelds in great 
numbers, and makes terrible havoc with the hardly germinated grains. 
It does not stop here. The tender blades themselves, as soon as they have 
sought the light, are seized by the caitiffs, for the treasures which they 
hold concealed in the earth. The grains are detached, and the blades are 
scattered to the winds. So fond of this diet are these birds, that they 
defy the efforts of the husbandman to check their devastations. Ingenious, 
devices in the guise of scare-crows, and even the shot-gun, have no fears 
for them. Driven from one section of the field, they instantly seek another 
remote from danger, and ply their nefarious occupation with remarkable 
industi'y. When in ear, invested with its close-fitting wrapper of husks, 
the corn is not then safe, for the birds strip , off the cover with the bill, 
and extract it from the cob. At first these attacks are made with great 
caution, but love of appetite soon triumphs- over fear and every other feel- 
ing, and a spirit of reckless boldness succeeds. In the Southern States, 
in the winter, they visit the corn-crib in swarms, and coolly peck the 
partially dried grains from the cobs through the air-openings along its 
sides. When denied such luxuries, they collect in the woods, and feed 
u])on the mast of the beech and the fruit of the oak. While condemned 
as a nuisance and a pest to agricultural industry, on account of these 
