_Ortolan._—_October Pink._—_Ricebird._
_Dolichonyx oryzivorus._
_Emberiza oryzivora_, +Linn.+—Aud. pl. 54.
_Icterus agripennis_, +Bonap.+
_Dolichonyx oryzivorus_, +Sw.+
[63] Length 7¹⁄₂; expanse 11¹⁄₂, flexure 3⁹⁄₁₀, tail 2¹⁄₂, rictus
⁶⁄₁₀, tarsus 1¹⁄₁₀, middle toe 1.
In ordinary seasons this well-known bird arrives in vast numbers from
the United States, in the month of October, and scattering over the
lowland plains, and slopes of the sea-side hills, assembles in the
guinea-grass fields, in flocks amounting to five hundred or more.
The seed is then ripe, and the black throngs settle down upon it, so
densely, that numbers may be killed at a random discharge. To procure
the seed, the birds perch on the culm, but as the weight would bear
down a single stalk, each grasps several culms in its foot, while it
rifles the panicles. At this time, the males are dressed in the sober
livery of the females. Early in November they depart for the southern
continent, but during their brief stay they are in great request for
the table. Dr. Chamberlaine only echoes the general estimation, when
he says:—“The Butter-bird is a bonne bouche; it is but a mouthful, but
a luscious and delightful one. Their note,” he adds, “during their
migration hither, is simply _ping, ping, ping_:—what it may be in its
native woods, I do not know. But wounded birds have been secured and
kept in cages, and when placed in the same room with a Canary have soon
acquired similar notes, and in time warble with equal strength and
melody.” (Jam. Alm. 1840; p. 25.)
When the spring rains have set in, usually in the month of April, they
again become our transient guests for a few days, on their northward
migration, when the males are conspicuous in their nuptial dress.
Other species of grass are now seeding, and the nutritive farinaceous
grains of many neglected weeds afford them a supply during their brief
sojourn.
+Fam.+—FRINGILLADÆ.—(_The Finches._)