16 HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS. 
iridescence as rich and brilliant as that of the wood 
duck or the wild pigeon. 
The redwing, or American starling, is smaller than 
the grackle or crow blackbird, and although less brill- 
iant, has stronger markings. The male is black, with 
the exception of the shoulders, which are bright scar- 
let, with buff and orange edgings. These epaulets are 
conspicuous, and give him a jaunty, military appear- 
ance well in keeping with his character. On his first 
arrival his habits are much like those of the grackle. 
He likes a perch on an upper twig or limb, where he 
will cluck and call, gurgle and whistle, as the mood 
overtakes him. One seldom hears a pleasanter musicale 
than was given one morning in Rumsey park by these 
bright-colored minstrels. It was just after sunrise. A 
robin began with his sweet old story of “Cherries, 
cherries, to be ripe in June;” a grackle from an ever- 
green interrupted with “Forme? Are they for me?” 
Then some redwings from a neighboring willow 
chimed in, “Oh! what glee we shall see.” One thought 
of Emerson’s “May Day:” 
Why chidest thou the tardy spring? 
The blackbirds make the maples ring 
With social cheer and jubilee: 
The redwing flutes his ok-a-lee. 
The redwings often stop several days in or about the 
city in the localities favored with tall trees, but on the 
arrival of the females, which is frequently two or three 
weeks later, they are off to low meadows, marshes or 
swamps, in which to nest, probably influenced by the 
