RICE BUNTING. 
203 
a more particular examination shewed me the source of my 
mistake. Since that, I have opened and examined many 
hundreds of these birds, in the months of September and 
October, and, on the whole, have found about as many males 
as 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 
country ; but, as soon as the young are able to fly, they collect 
together 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 multitudes : and these places, 
during the remainder of their stay, appear 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 Dela- 
ware is almost incessant, resembling a running fire. The 
markets of Philadelphia, at this season, exhibit 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 shooting, which 
is carried on at the same season and places, with equal 
