crops and oats in such numbers, that they do a great deal of damage,
particularly the oats, which they break down by their weight.

There is another kind of blackbird, smaller than the former, and
speckled very much like a starling. Indeed, I believe it is a species
of that bird; for it frequents marshes, and lodges amongst the reeds at
night. This bird is also destructive in the corn-fields.

There is yet a third species of blackbird, larger than either of the
above, whose colour is of a glossy blue-black, very like our rooks.
These birds are just as troublesome as the rest; but it must be
admitted that their destroy an immense quantity of caterpillars and
grubs. They are easily frightened away by firing a few shots. There is,
however, no doubt but that they are a greater plague to the farmers
than the pigeons: besides, the latter are excellent eating.

I once accompanied the Doctor on an exploring expedition through the
tract. We encamped close to a breeding-place of these birds, when we
were kept awake all night by the noise they made. Sometimes, too, a
limb of a tree would break with the weight of the birds which had
alighted on it, when there would be such fluttering and flapping of
wings, as made it impossible for us to sleep.

Towards morning, the sound of their departure to their feeding-grounds
resembled thunder. For nearly two hours there was one incessant roar,
as flock after flock took its departure eastward. The ground under the
trees was whitened with their excrement, and strewn with broken
branches of trees.

The Americans have a plan of capturing these birds, by means of a