RED-WINGED STARLING. 



31 



those great bodies of Starlings. Sometimes they appeared driving 

 about like an enormous blaek cloud carried before the wind5 vary- 

 ing its shape every moment. Sometimes suddenly rising from the 

 fields around me with a noise like thunder; v^hile the glittering 

 of innumerable wings of the brightest vermilion amid the black 

 cloud they formed, produced on these occasions a very striking and 

 splendid effect. Then descending like a torrent, and covering the 

 branches of some detached grove, or clump of trees, the whole con- 

 gregated 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 sea- 

 son of winter that with most birds is past in struggling to sustain 

 life, in silent melancholy, is with the Red-wings one continued car- 

 nival. The profuse gleanings of the old rice, corn and buckwheat 

 fields, supply them with abundant food ; at once, ready and nutri- 

 tious ; and the intermediate time is spent either in aerial ma- 

 noeuvres, or in grand vocal performances, as if solicitous to sup- 

 ply the absence of all the tuneful summer tribes, and to cheer the 

 dejected face of nature with their whole combined powers of har- 

 mony. 



About the twentieth of March, or earlier if the season be open, 

 they begin to enter Pennsylvania in numerous tho small parties. 

 These migrating flocks are usually observed from day-break 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 



