RICE BUNTING. 203 



together in great multitudes, and pour down on the oatfields 

 of New England like a torrent, depriving the proprietors of a 

 good tithe of their harvest; but, in return, often supply his 

 table with a very delicious dish. From all parts of the north 

 and western regions, they direct their course towards the 

 south ; and, about the middle of August, revisit Pennsylvania, 

 on their route to winter quarters. For several days, they seem 

 to confine themselves to the fields and uplands ; but, as soon 

 as the seeds of the reed are ripe, they resort to the shores of 

 the Delaware and Schuylkill in multitudes ; and these places, 

 during the remainder of their stay, appear to be their grand 

 rendezvous. The reeds, or wild oats, furnish them with such 

 abundance of nutritious food, that in a short time they become 

 extremely fat ; and are supposed, by some of our epicures, to 

 be equal to the famous ortolans of Europe. Their note at this 

 season is a single chink, and is heard overhead, with little 

 intermission, from morning to night. These are halcyon days 

 for our gunners of all descriptions, and many a lame and 

 rusty gun-barrel is put in requisition for the sport. The 

 report of musketry along the reedy shores of the Schuylkill 

 and Delaware is almost incessant, resembling a running fire. 

 The markets of Philadelphia, at this season, exhibit proofs of 

 the prodigious havoc made among these birds ; for almost 

 every stall is ornamented with strings of reed birds. This 

 sport, however, is considered inferior to that of rail-shooting, 

 which is carried on at the same season and places, with equal 

 slaughter. Of this, as well as of the rail itself, we shall give 

 a particular account in its proper place. 



Whatever apology the people of the eastern and southern 

 States may have for the devastation they spread among the 

 rice and reed birds, the Pennsylvanians — at least those living 

 in this part of it— have little to plead in justification, but the 

 pleasure of destruction, or the savoury dish they furnish their 

 tables with ; for the oat harvest is generally secured before 

 the great body of these birds arrive, the Indian-corn too ripe 

 and hard, and the reeds seem to engross all their attention. 



