60 THE RED -WINGED BLACKBIRD. 
forced 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- 
wrapped 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 generally much injured. 
All the attacks and havoc 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 dis- 
appoint 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 devasta- 
tion is carried on, under the eye of the proprietor; 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 
