RICE BUNTING. 



53 



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

 ter. 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 di^h 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. But in the states south of Maryland, 

 the harvest of early wheat and barley in spring, and the numerous 

 plantations of rice in Fall, suffer severely. Early in October, or as 

 soon as the nights begin to set in cold, they disappear from Penn- 

 sylvania, directing their course to the south. At this time they 

 swarm among the rice fields ; and appear in the island of Cuba in 

 immense numbers, in search of the same delicious grain. About 

 the middle of October they visit the island of Jamaica in equal 

 numbers, where they are called Butter -birds. They feed on the 

 seecl of the Guinea grass, and are also in high esteem there for 

 the table. ^ 



Thus it appears, that the regions north of the fortieth degree 

 of latitude are the breeding places of these birds; that their migra- 

 tions nortlierly are performed from March to May, and their re- 

 turn southerly from August to November; their precise winter 

 quarters, or farthest retreat southerly, is not exactly known. 



The Rice Bunting is seven inches and a half long, and eleven 

 and a half in extent; his spring dress is as follows; upper part of 

 the head, wings, tail and sides of the neck, and whole lower parts 

 black ; the feathers frequently skirted with brownish yellow as he 

 passes into the colors of the female ; back of the head a cream 



* Rennel's Hist. Jam. 

 VOL. II. O 



