THE SUMMER RED-B1RI). 
223 
beginning of June, and follow their parents until the time of the migration 
of the latter, which takes place a fortnight earlier than that of the young 
birds. They raise only one brood in a season. 
The alterations of plumage which appear in the young birds between 
the period at which they leave the nest, and the ensuing spring, are as 
great as those of the Orchard Oriole. They are at first nearly of the 
colour of the female. The males become a little mottled with dull reddish- 
orange, towards the time of their departure for the south, the females only 
deepening their tints. 
I have several times attempted to raise the young from the nest, but in 
vain. Insects, fruit, and eggs, mixed with boiled meat of various kinds, 
always failed, and the birds generally died in a very few days, uttering a 
dull note, as if elicited by great suffering. The same note is emitted by 
the young in their state of freedom, when, perched on a branch, they await 
the appearance of their parents with their proper food. 
I found this species in the Texas about the middle of April, when it was 
arriving from the south. At this period many of the males were in full 
plumage, while almost as many were imperfect ; but I observed that before 
we left Galveston, about the middle of May, scarcely one was met with in 
the latter state ; and, although a considerable number reach even our middle 
Atlantic districts, in a mottled and incomplete livery, it is the opinion of my 
friend Dr. Bachman, as well as my own, that the males obtain all the beauty 
of their colours when about twelve months old. This opinion is founded 
on the fact, that mottled birds of this species are comparatively but rarely 
found in the act of breeding. I now feel almost quite certain that too great 
an extent of time has hitherto been supposed necessary for this bird to 
acquire its perfect plumage ; and this is equally the case with several other 
species. My friends Mr. Harris and Dr. Trudeau have procured female 
Summer Red-birds almost as red as the males. They were obtained while 
breeding, and I am informed by these gentlemen that such cases are not rare. 
This bird sings pleasantly during the spring, for nearly half an hour in suc- 
cession, and although its notes have some resemblance to those of the Red- 
eyed Vireo, they are sweeter and more varied, surpassing, indeed, those 
of the Baltimore-bird, and nearly equalling those of the Orchard Oriole. 
I have represented an adult male, his mate, and a young bird in its 
singularly patched state, to enable you to judge how different a family of 
these birds must appear to the eye of a person unacquainted with the 
peculiarity of their differences and changes of plumage. 
The vine 0^1 which you see them is usually called the Muscadine. It 
grows everywhere in Louisiana, and the State of Mississippi, and that most 
luxuriantly. In those States you may see vines of this species fifteen inches 
