OF E ASTFRN PENNSYLVANIA. 353 



the rejected suitors are driven away by the suc- 

 cessful aspirant, and efforts are made by the loving 

 pair to build themselves a home. It is on such 

 occasions that their song appears to the best ad- 

 vantage. It is in the eccentric pauses which 

 happen in the midst of their song that we detect 

 the word "bob-o-link" so distinctly enunciated as 

 not to be misconstrued. 



When the contests an: over, the birds select a 

 suitable locality for a nest. A meadow is chosen 

 as its site. The nest is built upon the ground, 

 and so artfully concealed by enveloping grasses, 

 as to be very difficult lo discover. It is com- 

 posed of flexible grasses most carefully wrought 

 into a shallow and compact nest. 



\Vlien the female is brooding over her charge, 

 the male is hoverim r over the nest uttering his 



O <-> 



incessant love-song, or else is swaying to and fro 

 upon some slender weed, eloquent with melody. 

 As domestic cares and responsibilities increase, 

 his song is heard less frequently, until finally it 

 ceases altogether. 



o 



The eggs are five in number, and generally 

 marked with rufous-brown and lavender blotches 

 upon a white background, which sometimes pre- 

 sents a tinge of drab or olive. They measure .90 

 of an inch in length and .70 in breadth. 



This species is single-brooded. It breeds from 

 the 42cl to the 54th parallel of latitude in North 

 America, being particularly abundant in certain 

 localities. 



w 



