THE SUMMER RED-BIRD. 223 



beginning of June, and follow their parents until the time of the migration 

 of the latter, which takes place a fortnight earlier than that of the young 

 birds. They raise only one brood in a season. 



The alterations of plumage which appear in the young birds between the 

 period at which they leave the nest, and the ensuing spring, are as great as 

 those of the Orchard Oriole. They are at first nearly of the colour of the 

 female. The males become a little mottled with dull reddish-orange, towards 

 the time of their departure for the south, the females only deepening their 

 tints. 



I have several times attempted to raise the young from the nest, but in 

 vain. Insects, fruits, and eggs, mixed with boiled meat of various kinds, 

 always failed, and the birds generally died in a very few days, uttering a 

 dull note, as if elicited by great suffering. The same note is emitted by the 

 young in their state of freedom, when, perched on a branch, they await the 

 appearance of their parents with their proper food. 



I found this species in the Texas about the middle of April, when it was 

 arriving from the south. At this period many of the males were in full 

 plumage, while almost as many were imperfect; but I observed that before 

 we left Galveston, about the middle of May, scarcely one was met with in 

 the latter state; and, although a considerable number reach even our middle 

 Atlantic districts, in a mottled and incomplete livery, it is the opinion of my 

 friend Dr. Bachman, as well as my own, that the males obtain all the beauty 

 of their colours when about twelve months old. This opinion is founded 

 on the fact, that mottled birds of this species are comparatively but rarely 

 found in the act of breeding. I now feel almost quite certain that too great 

 an extent of time has hitherto been supposed necessary for this bird to 

 acquire its perfect plumage; and this is equally the case with several other 

 species. My friends Mr. Harris and Dr. Trudeau have procured female 

 Summer Red-birds almost as red as the males. They were obtained while 

 breeding, and I am informed by these gentlemen that such cases are not rare. 

 This bird sings pleasantly during the spring, for nearly half an hour in suc- 

 cession, and, although its notes have some resemblance to those of the Red- 

 eyed Vireo, they are sweeter and more varied, surpassing, indeed, those of 

 the Baltimore-bird, and nearly equalling those of the Orchard Oriole. 



I have represented an adult male, his mate, and a young bird in its 

 singularly patched state, to enable you to judge how different a family of 

 these birds must appear to the eye of a person unacquainted with the pecu- 

 liarity of their differences and changes of plumage. 



The vine on which you see them is usually called the Muscadine. It 

 grows everywhei'e in Louisiana, and the State of Mississippi, and that most 

 luxuriantly. In those States you may see vines of this species fifteen inches 



