y-j^ Rural School Leaflet 



THE BOBOLINK 



Size: Smaller than a robin, larger than a sparrow. 



General color: Above black, marked with patches of white and buff; 

 below black, unmarked. The female is sparrow-like — yellowish brown 

 streaked with darker. 



Distinctive features : The general color, black with white markings on 

 the upper parts, will distinguish the male. 



QUOTATIONS 



" Bobolink! that in the meadow. 

 Or beneath the orchard's shadow, 

 Keepest up a constant rattle 

 Joyous as my children's prattle, 

 Welcome to the north again ! 

 Welcome to mine ear :he strain, 

 Welcome to mine eye the sight 

 Of thy buff, thy black, and white. 

 Brighter plumes may greet the sun 

 By the banks of Amazon ; 

 Sweeter tones may weave the spell 

 Of enchanting Philomel ; 

 But the tropic bird woiild fail, 

 And the English nightingale, 

 If we should compare their worth 

 With thine endless, gushing mirth." — Thomas Hill 



" A flock of merry singing-birds were sporting in the grove; 

 Some were warbling cheerily, and some were making love; 

 There were Bobolincon, Wadolincon, Winterseeble, Conquedle, — 

 A livelier set was never led by tabor, pipe, or fiddle, — 

 Crying, " Phew, shew, WadoHncon, see, see, Bobolincon, 

 Down among the tickletops, hiding in the buttercups! 

 I know the saucy chap, I see his shining cap 

 Bobbing in the clover there — see, see, see! " 



" The O'Lincoln Family.'' by Wilson Flagg 



