262 BLACKBIRDS, ORlOLES, ETC.

Washington, T. V., common in spring, abundant in fall; May 1 to May 27; Aug. 5 to Oct. 1. Sing Sing, tolerably common S. R., May 1 to Oct. 5. Cam- bridge, very common S. IL, May 8 to Sept. 10.

Nest, of grasses, on the ground. Eggs, four to seven, grayish white, fre- quently tinged with the color of the numerous irregular spots and blotches of olive-brown or umber, ‘85 x '62.

In June our fields and meadows echo with the Bobolink’s “mad music ” as, on quivering wing, he sings in ecstasy to his mate on her nest in the grasses below. What a wonderful song it is! An irre- pressible outburst; a flood of melody from a heart overflowing with the joy of early summer.

But this glad season is soon over. Even before the tide of the year is full, the Bobolink begins to prepare for the long journey to his win- ter resorts. Dofiing his jaunty costume of black, white, and buff, he dons the less conspicuous dress of his mate, and travels in disguise under the assumed name of Reedbird or Ricebird. His voice is hushed, save for a single call-note—a metallic Chink. He travels both by day and night, and from the sky we hear his watchword as he signals his companions. .

The wild-rice marshes of our coasts and rivers are the rendezvous of the countless flocks of Bobolinks, which later will invade South America, stopping en route to visit the rice fields of South Carolina andGeorgia. They pass the winter south of the Amazon, and in March or April begin their northward journey. The males, in flocks of two or three hundred, precede the females by several days. They reach Florida about April 25. and are then in full song. Only one who has heard the Bobolink sing can form an idea of the effect pro- duced by a flock of three hundred singing in chorus.

495- Molothrus ater (300311.). Cowman. Ad. 6 .—-—Head, neck, and breast coffee-brown; rest of the plumage glossy black, with metallic bluish and greenish reflections. Ad. 9 .— Dark brownish gray, lighter below, especially on the throat. Young in first plumage.——Similar to the female, but whiter below, all the feathers edged with buffy. This plumage'is worn but a short time, and is then changed for that of the adult. 6 L., 7'92; W., 4'24; T., 3'03; 3., '67.

Range—Breeds from Texas to New Brunswick and Manitoba; winters from southern Illinois southward.

Washington, rather rare P. ii, common T. V. Sing Sing. common S. R., Mch. 22 to Nov. 11. Cambridge, very common S. R., Mch. 25 to Oct. 15; oc—

casional in winter.

Fm. 77.—Cowbird. (Natural size.)