RICE BUNTING. 
223 
^•"om the former by heintr 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 
he country ; but, as soon as the young are able to fly, 
'ey collect together in great multitudes, and pour 
own on the oat fields of New Knglaud like a toirent, 
‘‘epriving the ])roprictors of a good tithe of their 
harvest ; but, in return, often supply his table with a 
'firy delicious dish. From all parts of the north and 
'''estem regions, they direct their course towards the 
*Outh ; and, about the middle of August, revisit Penn- 
*ylvauia, on their route to winter (juartiws. For several 
hays, they seem to confine themselves to the tields and 
hplands ; but, ns soon as the seeds of the reed are ripe, 
they resort to the shores of the Delaware and Schuylkill 
h' multitudes ; and these places, during the remainder 
hi their stay, appear to be their grand rendezvous, 
ll'e reeds, or 'wild oats, furnish them with such abun- 
hance of nutritious food, that in a short time they 
heeome extremely fat ; and are supposed, by some of 
j^hr epicures, to be equal to the famous ortolans of 
~hrope. Their note at this season is a single chink, 
^"d is heard over-head, with little intermission, from 
'frning to night. These are halcyon days for our 
^nners of all descriptions, and many a lame and rusty 
Ipn-barrel is put in requisition ior the sport. The 
hport of musketry along the reedy shores of the 
ehuylkill and Delaware is almost incessant, resijmbling 
“ ’'mining fire. The markets of Philadelphia, at this 
*hsson, exhibit proofs of the prodigious havoc made 
""Rong these birds; for almost every stall is ornamented 
''’’th strings of reed birds. This sport, hoivever, is 
'^"sidered inferior to that of rail shooting, which is 
^'■ried on at the same season and places, with equal 
fighter. Of this, as well as of the rail itself, we shall 
wVe a particulai' account in its jiroper place. 
^Vhatever apology the people of the eastern and 
^niithcrn States may have for the devastation they 
Ptead among the rice and reed birds, the Pennsyl- 
