128 PROCEEDINGS MANCHESTER INSTITUTE 



dred birds were counted in about two and one-half hours. They 

 flew low and with the light southeast wind, and appeared to be 

 following the coast line in their flight. 



155. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.). Bobolink. 



A common summer resident and abundant fall migrant 

 throughout the broad meadows of the Transition valleys. In 

 suitable localities it is common even up to the foot of the White 

 Mountains and in the Connecticut valley at least as far up as 

 Lancaster. North of these mountains, however, it is much less 

 common. Mr. H. W. Wright writes me that four or five pairs 

 breed every season at Jefferson Highlands, and Mr. F. H. Allen 

 has also observed it in this region. At Intervale where the bird 

 is plentiful, the young are hatched and have left the nest by 

 the last of June, and the adult birds of one meadow or of one 

 circumscribed area sometimes flock as early as July 4th, keep- 

 ing rather closely together, while yet feeding their well grown 

 3'oung in the grass. These latter remain concealed until close- 

 y approached before they take wing and fly straight away to 

 drop into the grass farther off. As the young grow stronger on 

 the wing, they join the flock of old birds, and by the last of 

 July, flock joins flock, until large companies are formed which 

 wander about to some extent before moving southward. Often 

 I have noticed, during August, flocks of Bobolinks flying north - 

 ward up the Saco valley towards evening, the movement appear- 

 ing to be a general one, though of its purpose I am ignorant. 

 Others again are to be noted passing southward down the val- 

 ley, sometimes at a considerable height in the air. 

 Dates : May 5 to September 9. 



156. Molothrus ater (Bodd). Cowbird. 



An uncommon summer resident of the Transition valleys in 

 the southern and western part of the state ; rarely wintering. 

 The distribution of this bird in New Hampshire is of interest ; 

 it is not uncommon in the extreme southeastern portions of the 

 state, and numbers work up the Merrimack valley, where in 

 certain localities it is said to be common, as at Hollis (Fox, '76), 

 Manchester (F. W. Batchelder, :oo), Webster (Goodhue, 



