pg 25Purple Finch
They frequently associate with the common Cross-Bills, feeding on the same trees, and like them are at times fond of alighting against the mud used for closing the log-houses. They are seldom seen on the ground, although their motions there are by no means embarrassed. They are considered as destructive birds by some farmers, who accuse them of committing great depredation on the blossoms of their fruit trees, I never observed this in Louisiana, where they remain long after the peach and pear trees are in full bloom. I have eaten many of them, and consider their flesh equal to that of any other small bird. Excepting the Rice Bunting.
Pg27 Bonaparte's fly-catcher
Monday, Agust 1301. - Lousiana - on arriving at the Cypress Swamp (about five miles from St. Francisville), I saw a great number of small birds of different species, and as I looked at them I observed to engaged in a fight or a quarrel. I shot at them, but only one fell. on reaching the spot, I found the bird was only wounded and saw it standing still and uprights as if stupified by its fall. When I approached it to pick it up, it spread its tail opened its wings and snapped it bill about twenty times sharply and in quick succession, as birds of the genus do when seizing insects on wing. I carried it home and had the pleasure of drawing it while alive and full of spirit. It often made off from my hand, by starting suddenly, and then would hop around the room as quickly as a Carolina Wren, uttering its tweet, tweet, all the while, and snapping its bill every time I took it up. I put it into a cage for a few minutes, it obstinately thrust its head through the lower parts of the wires. I relieved it from this sort of confinement and allowed it to go about the room, Next day it was very week and ruffled up, so I killed it and put it in ju spirits." to this account I have only to add, that I have not seen another individual since.
Pg 35 Purple Grakle or Common Crow-Blackbird
I could not think of any better mode of representing these birds than that which I have adopted, as it exhibits them in the exercise of their nefarious propensities. Look at them: The male, as if full of delight at the sight of the havoc which he has already committed on the tender, juicy, unripe corn on which he stands, has swelled his throat, and is calling in exultation to his companions to come and assist him in demolishing it. the female has fed herself, and is about to fly off with a well-loaded bill to her hungry and expectant brood, that, from the nest look on their [plundering parents, joyously anticipating the pleasures of which they shall ere long be allowed to participate. See who the husk is torn from the ear, and how nearly devoured are the grains of corn! This is the tithe our Blackbirds take from our planters and farmers; but it was so appointed, and such is the will of the beneficent Creator.
Ornithologic Biography volume 1
They frequently associate with the common Cross-Bills, feeding on the same trees, and like them are at times fond of alighting against the mud used for closing the log-houses. They are seldom seen on the ground, although their motions there are by no means embarrassed. They are considered as destructive birds by some farmers, who accuse them of committing great depredation on the blossoms of their fruit trees, I never observed this in Louisiana, where they remain long after the peach and pear trees are in full bloom. I have eaten many of them, and consider their flesh equal to that of any other small bird. Excepting the Rice Bunting.
Pg27 Bonaparte's fly-catcher
Monday, Agust 1301. - Lousiana - on arriving at the Cypress Swamp (about five miles from St. Francisville), I saw a great number of small birds of different species, and as I looked at them I observed to engaged in a fight or a quarrel. I shot at them, but only one fell. on reaching the spot, I found the bird was only wounded and saw it standing still and uprights as if stupified by its fall. When I approached it to pick it up, it spread its tail opened its wings and snapped it bill about twenty times sharply and in quick succession, as birds of the genus do when seizing insects on wing. I carried it home and had the pleasure of drawing it while alive and full of spirit. It often made off from my hand, by starting suddenly, and then would hop around the room as quickly as a Carolina Wren, uttering its tweet, tweet, all the while, and snapping its bill every time I took it up. I put it into a cage for a few minutes, it obstinately thrust its head through the lower parts of the wires. I relieved it from this sort of confinement and allowed it to go about the room, Next day it was very week and ruffled up, so I killed it and put it in ju spirits." to this account I have only to add, that I have not seen another individual since.
Pg 35 Purple Grakle or Common Crow-Blackbird
I could not think of any better mode of representing these birds than that which I have adopted, as it exhibits them in the exercise of their nefarious propensities. Look at them: The male, as if full of delight at the sight of the havoc which he has already committed on the tender, juicy, unripe corn on which he stands, has swelled his throat, and is calling in exultation to his companions to come and assist him in demolishing it. the female has fed herself, and is about to fly off with a well-loaded bill to her hungry and expectant brood, that, from the nest look on their [plundering parents, joyously anticipating the pleasures of which they shall ere long be allowed to participate. See who the husk is torn from the ear, and how nearly devoured are the grains of corn! This is the tithe our Blackbirds take from our planters and farmers; but it was so appointed, and such is the will of the beneficent Creator.
Ornithologic Biography volume 1
John James Audubon
April 26, 1785 – January 27, 1851
