THE RICE-BIRD.-BOB-0-LINK. XI 



that the appearance of the Rice-bird in spring forebodes a bad harvest. The 

 idea probably originates from the circumstance that these birds do not pass 

 through Louisiana regularly every year, there being sometimes three or four 

 springs in succession in which they are not observed. 



The plumage of many of the males at this early season still resembles that 

 of the females, but it changes in the course of their stay, which is seldom 

 more than a fortnight. I have ascertained this fact by dissecting many at 

 this period, when, notwithstanding the dull colour of their plumage, I found 

 the sexual organs greatly developed, which is not the case in autumn, even 

 in the old males. I had another clew to the discovery of this fact. No 

 sooner did a flock of females make its appearance, than these dull-looking 

 gentlemen immediately paid them such particular attention, and sang so 

 vehemently, that the fact of their being of a different sex became undeniable. 

 Here they pass under the name of Meadow-birds. In Pennsylvania they 

 are called Reed-birds, in Carolina Rice Buntings, and in the State of New 

 York Boblinks. The latter appellation is given to them as far eastward as 

 they are known to proceed for the purpose of breeding. 



During their sojourn in Louisiana, in spring, their song, which is 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 beginning one after another, as 

 if ordered to follow in quick succession, after 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 appears equally extraordinary. This 

 curious exhibition takes place every time that the flock has alighted on a 

 tree, after feeding for awhile 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 in autumn, when they are returning southward, 

 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, although 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 purpose 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 



