THE BOBOLINK 



past ten years, except when prevented by stormy south 

 or southwest winds, the Ricebirds have come punctually 

 on the night of the 21st of August, apparently coming 

 from seaward. All night their chirp can be heard pass- 

 ing over our summer homes on South Island, which is 

 situated 6 miles to the east of our rice plantations, in full 

 view of the ocean. Curious to say, we have never seen 

 this flight during the day. During the nights of August 

 21, 22, 23, and 24, millions of these birds make their ap- 

 pearance and settle in the ricefields. From the 21st of 

 August to the 25th of September our every eff^ort is made 

 to save the crop. Men, boys, and women with guns and 

 ammunition, are posted. . . . The firing commences at 

 dawn and is kept up till sunset. ... If from any cause 

 there is a check to the crop during its growth which pre- 

 vents the grain from being hard, but in milky condition, 

 the destruction of such fields is complete, it not paying to 

 cut and bring the rice out of the field. ... I consider 

 these birds as destructive to rice as the caterpillar is to 

 cotton, with this difference, that these Ricebirds never fail 

 to come." 



[215] 



