RICE BUNTING. 
69 
by being of a rather more shining yellow on the breast and belly ; it is 
the same with the young birds of the first season. 
During the breeding season they are dispersed over the country ; but 
as soon as the young are able to fly, they collect together in great multi- 
tudes, and pour down on the oat fields 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 over head, 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 re- 
port of musketry along the reedy shores of the Schuylkill and Delaware 
is almost incessant, resembling a running fire. The markets of Phila- 
delphia, 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 Kail itself, we shall give a par- 
ticular 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 
savory dish they furnish their tables with ; for the oat harvest is gener- 
ally 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 Pennsylvania, 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 
