ORIOLES. 253 



Boston (but never in flocks) about the tenth of May, and are 

 soon dispersed over the grassy fields, orchards, and meadows, 

 which are their summer homes. There they may be seen in 

 pairs, perched on some tree or fence, while the male carols to 

 his mate, or walking on the ground in search of their food, 

 which consists of seeds, of spiders, beetles, and other insects. 

 There they build their nests, which are by no means easily 

 found, being often artificially concealed by the parents, and 

 naturally protected by the uniformity of the long grass every- 

 where near them. In the latter part of July, or in August, 

 the males gradually lose their summer dress, and resemble 

 the females, with whom, as well as with their young, they 

 associate, sometimes in great numbers. They then frequent 

 the sea-shore, visit the grain-fields, and do mischief by eating 

 oats and corn. They also begin their journey to the South, 

 and may be heard flying overhead even at night, when their 

 note is distinct in the general silence. What instinct or 

 sense enables birds to migrate so accurately is yet unex- 

 plained ; but how they can, as many species do, travel several 

 hundred miles by night is still further a mystery. 



The Reed-birds, " about the middle of August," says Wil- 

 son, " revisit Pennsylvania on their route to winter quarters. 

 For several days they seem to confine themselves to the fields 

 and uplands ; but as soon as the seeds of the reed are ripe 

 they resort to the shores of the Delaware and Schuylkill in 

 midtitudes ; and these places, during the remainder of their 

 stay, appear to be their grand rendezvous. The reeds, or wild 

 oats, furnish them with such abundance of nutritious food 

 that in a short time they become extremely fat ; and are sup- 

 posed, by some of our epicures, to be equal to the famous 

 Ortolans of Europe. Their note at this season is a single 

 chink, and is heard overhead, with little intermission, from 

 morning to night." After attacking the rice-fields of the 

 South, many proceed to the West Indies, reaching Jamaica, 

 where they are called " Butter-birds," " in the month of Oc- 

 tober." Gosse adds that they visit " the guinea-grass fields, 

 in flocks amounting to five hundred or more." 



d. What adjectives can describe the Bobolink in May and 



