from the sudden exposure made by the plough. In vain does it hurry,
for the Grakle has seen and marked it for its own, and it is snatched up
and swallowed in a moment.
Thus does the Grakle follow the husbandman as he turns one furrow
after another, destroying a far worse enemy to the corn than itself, for
every worm which it devours would else shortly cut the slender blade, and
thereby destroy the plant when it would perhaps be too late to renew it
by fresh seed. Every reflecting farmer knows this well, and refrains from
disturbing the Grakle at this season. Were he as merciful at another
time, it would prove his grateful recollection of the services thus rendered
him. But man is too often forgetful of the benefit which he has received
; he permits his too commonly weak and selfish feelings to prevail
over his reason ; and no sooner does the corn become fit for his own use,
than he vows and executes vengeance on all intruders. But to return to
our Blackbird.
The season of love has arrived. Each male having, by assiduity, valour,
or good fortune, received the affectionate regards of a faithful mate,
unites with her in seeking a safe and agreeable retreat. The lofty dead
trees left standing in our newly cultivated fields, have many holes and
cavities, some of which have been bored by woodpeckers, and others
caused by insects or decay. These are visited and examined in succession,
until a choice being made, and a few dry weeds and feathers collected,
the female deposits her eggs, which are from four to six in number,
of a bluish tint, blotched and streaked with brown and black. She
sits upon them while her valiant mate and guardian mounts to the
summit of a broken branch, pours forth his rude notes, and cheers and
watches her with the kindest and most unremitting care. I think I see
him plunging through the air and overtaking the Red-headed or the
Golden-winged Woodpecker, which, in search of their last year's nest,
have imprudently alighted at the entrance of the already chosen and occupied
hole. The conflict is but momentary ; the creeping bird is forced
to yield, and after whirling round in the air as it defends itself, and very
nearly comes to the ground, makes the best of its way off, well knowing
that there its opponent is more formidable than even in the air.
This over, the Grakle roams in quest of food. Little heaps of grubs,
with a few grains of corn, afford delicious repasts to himself and his mate.
They thus share the labours of incubation, and see the time pass in eager
and pleasant expectation. And now the emerging brood shake off the
shell that so long enclosed them ; their tottering heads are already raised
toward their mother, while she, with intense anxiety, dries and cherishes
them. They grow up day after day. The hole becomes nearly filled
with their increased bulk. The vigilance and industry of the parents also
augment apace. I wish, good-natured reader, you would seek out such
a sight: it would gladden your heart, for the rearing of such a family is
worthy of your contemplation.
It is with regret that I must turn from this picture. I have already
told you that the Grakles are at least as fond of corn as the lords of the
land are. Hark to the sound of rattles, and the hallooing of the farmer's
sons and servants, as they spread over the field ! Now and then the report
of a gun comes on the ear. The Grakles have scarcely a single moment
of quiet; they are chased, stolen upon, and killed in great numbers, all
the country round; but the hungry birds heed not the slaughter of their
brethren. They fly in flocks from place to place, and, in spite of all that
the farmer has done or threatens to do, continue their depredations.
Food must be had. Grubs and worms have already retired to their winter
quarters within the earth; no beech-nuts or acorns have yet fallen
from the trees; corn is now their only resource, and the quantity of it
which they devour is immense.
Now gloomy November brings up its cold blasts from the north, and
drives before it the Grakles from the Eastern States. They reach Louisiana
and all the Southern States when autumn has not yet retired, when
the weather is still mild and serene, and the yellow foliage of the wide
woods gives shelter to myriads of birds. The Grakles, congregated in
prodigious flocks, alight on the trees that border the vast forests, covering
every twig and bough in such astonishing masses, that the most unskilful
or most avaricious gunner finds no difficulty in satisfying his wish
for sport or game. This is the time to listen to their choruses. They
seem to congratulate each other on their escape, and vociferate at such a
rate as to make one imagine their number double what it is.
Beech-nuts and acorns are now abundant in the woods, having by this
time fallen from the trees, and the Grakles roam in quest of them in immense
bodies, rising on wing when disturbed, uttering at the same time
a tremendous noise, then making a few rounds, and alighting again.
They thus gradually clear away the mast, in the same manner as the wild
pigeons are wont to do. As the weather becomes colder, they frequent
the farms, and even resort to the cattle pens, where, from among the litter