174 
RICE BUNTING. 
females among them. The latter may be distinguished from 
the former 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 coun- 
try; but as soon as the young are able to fly, they collect togeth- 
er in great multitudes, 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 rout 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 multi- 
tudes; and these places, during the remainder of their stay, ap- 
pear 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 report of musketry along the reedy shores of the 
Schuylkill and Delaware is almost incessant, resembling a 
running fire. The markets of Philadelphia, at this season, ex- 
hibits 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-shoot- 
ing, which is carried on at the same season and places with 
equal slaughter. 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 
