26 
RED- WINGED STARLING. 
more than two or three old males observed in a flock of many 
thousands. These, from the superior blackness and rich red 
of their plumage, are very conspicuous. 
Before the beginning of September, these flocks have 
become numerous and formidable ; and the young ears of 
maize, or Indian corn, being then in their soft, succulent, 
milky state, present a temptation that cannot be resisted. 
Reinforced by numerous and daily flocks from all parts of the 
interior, they pour down on the low countries in prodigious 
multitudes. Here they are seen, like vast clouds, wheeling 
and driving over the meadows and devoted corn fields, 
darkening the air with their numbers. Then commences the 
work of destruction on the corn, the husks of which, though 
composed of numerous envelopments of closely wrapt leaves, 
are soon completely or partially torn off; while from all 
quarters myriads continue to pour down like a tempest, 
blackening half an acre at a time ; and, if not disturbed, 
repeat their depredations, till little remains but the cob and 
the shrivelled skins of the grain ; what little is left of the 
tender ear, being exposed to the rains and weather, is gene- 
rally much injured. All the attacks and havock made at this 
time among them with the gun, and by the Hawks, — several 
species of which are their constant attendants, — has little 
effect on the remainder. When the Hawks make a sweep 
among them, they suddenly open on all sides, but rarely in 
time to disappoint them of their victims ; and, though 
repeatedly fired at, with mortal effect, they only remove from 
one field to an adjoining one, or to another quarter of the 
same enclosure. From dawn to nearly sunset, this open and 
daring devastation is carried on, under the eye of the pro- 
prietor ; and a farmer, who has any considerable extent of 
corn, would require half-a-dozen men at least, with guns, to 
guard it ; and even then, all their vigilance and activity would 
not prevent a good tithe of it from becoming the prey of the 
Blackbirds. The Indians, who usually plant their corn in 
one general field, keep the whole young boys of the village 
