392 HISTORY OF THE 



The following description of this familiar species is from 

 "North American Land Birds," Vol. II, p. 150: 



"Of all our unimitative aud natural songsters, the Bobolink 

 is by far the most popular and attractive. Always original, 

 and peculiarly natural, its song is exquisitely musical. In the 

 variety of its notes, in the rapidity with which they are uttered, 

 and in the touching pathos, beauty and melody of their tone 

 and expression, its notes are not equaled by those of any other 

 North American bird. We know of none among our native 

 feathered songsters whose song resembles or can be compared 

 with it. 



"In the earliest approaches of spring, in Louisiana, when 

 small flocks of male Bobolinks make their first appearance, they 

 are said by Mr. Audubon to sing in concert; and their song, 

 thus given, is at once exceedingly novel, interesting, and strik- 

 ing. Uttered with a volubility that even borders upon the bur- 

 lesque and the ludicrous, the whole effect is greatly heightened 

 by the singular and striking manner in which first one singer, 

 and then another, one following the other, until all have joined 

 their voices, take up the note and strike in, after the leader has 

 set the example and given the signal. In this manner, some- 

 times a party of thirty or forty Bobolinks will begin, one after 

 the other, until the whole unite in producing an extraordinary 

 medley, to which no pen can do justice, but which is described 

 as very pleasant to listen to. All at once the music ceases, with 

 a suddenness not less striking than extraordinary. These con- 

 certs are repeated from time to time, usually as often as the 

 flock alights. This performance may also be witnessed early in 

 April, in the vicinity of Washington, the Smithsonian grounds 

 being a favorite place of resort. 



"By the time these birds have reached in their spring migra- 

 tions the fortieth parallel of latitude, they no longer move in 

 large flocks, but have begun to separate into small parties and, 

 finally, into pairs. In New England the Bobolink treats us to 

 no such concerts as those described by Audubon, where many 

 voices join in creating their peculiar, jingling melody. When 

 they first appear, usually after the middle of May. they are in 



