RED-WINGED STARLING. 
27 
all day patrolling’ round and among it; and each being 
furnished with bow and arrows, with which they are very 
expert, they generally contrive to destroy great numbers of 
them. 
It must, however, be observed, that this scene of pillage is 
principally carried on in the low countries, not far from the 
sea coast, or near the extensive flats that border our large 
rivers ; and is also chiefly confined to the months of August 
and September. After this period, the corn having acquired 
its hard shelly coat, and the seeds of the reeds or wild oats, 
with a profusion of other plants, that abound along the river 
shores, being now ripe, and in great abundance, they present 
a new and more extensive field for these marauding multitudes. 
The reeds also supply them with convenient roosting places, 
being often in almost unapproachable morasses ; and thither 
they repair every evening, from all quarters of the country. In 
some places, however, when the reeds become dry, advantage 
is taken of this circumstance, to destroy these birds, by a 
party secretly approaching the place, under cover of a dark 
night, setting fire to the reeds in several places at once, which 
being soon enveloped in one general flame, the uproar among 
the Blackbirds becomes universal ; and, by the light of the 
conflagration, they are shot down in vast numbers, while 
hovering and screaming over the place. Sometimes straw is 
used for the same purpose, being previously strewed near the 
reeds and alder bushes, where they are known to roost, which 
being instantly set on fire, the consternation and havoc is 
prodigious; and the party return by day to pick up the 
slaughtered game. About the first of November, they begin 
to move off towards the south; though, near the sea coast, in 
the states of New Jersey and Delaware, they continue long 
after that period. 
Such are the general manners and character of the Red- 
winged Starling; but there remain some facts to be men- 
tioned, no less authentic, and well deserving the consideration 
