24 



RED-WINGED STARLING. 



and covering the branches of some detached grove, or clump 

 of trees, the whole congregated multitude commenced one 

 general concert or chorus, that I have plainly distinguished at 

 the distance of more than two miles ; and, when listened to at 

 the intermediate space of about a quarter of a mile, with a 

 slight breeze of wind to swell and soften the flow of its 

 cadences, was to me grand, and even sublime. The whole 

 season of winter, that, with most birds, is passed in struggling 

 to sustain life in silent melancholy, is, with the red-wings, one 

 continued carnival. The profuse gleanings of the old rice, 

 corn, and buckwheat fields, supply them with abundant food, 

 at once ready and nutritious; and the intermediate time is 

 spent either in aerial manoeuvres, or in grand vocal perform- 

 ances, as if solicitous to supply the absence of all the tuneful 

 summer tribes, and to cheer the dejected face of nature with 

 their whole combined powers of harmony. 



About the 20th of March, or earlier, if the season be open, 

 they begin to enter Pennsylvania in numerous, though small 

 parties. These migrating flocks are usually observed from 

 daybreak to eight or nine in the morning, passing to the north, 

 chattering to each other as they fly along; and, in spite of all 

 our antipathy, their well known notes and appearance, after 

 the long and dreary solitude of winter, inspire cheerful and 

 pleasing ideas of returning spring, warmth, and verdure. 

 Selecting their old haunts, every meadow is soon enlivened 

 by their presence. They continue in small parties to frequent 

 the low borders of creeks, swamps, and ponds, till about the 

 middle of April, when they separate in pairs to breed ; and, 

 about the last week in April, or first in May, begin to construct 

 their nest. The place chosen for this is generally within the 

 precincts of a marsh or swamp, meadow, or other like watery 

 situation, — the spot, usually a thicket of alder bushes, at the 

 height of six or seven feet from the ground ; sometimes in a 

 detached bush, in a meadow of high grass; often in a tussock 

 of rushes, or coarse rank grass; and not unfrequently on 

 the ground : in all of which situations I have repeatedly 



