BOBOLINK. 



RICE BIRD, SKUNK BLACKBIRD. MEADOW-WINK, 

 DOLICHONYX ORYZIVORUS. 



Char. Male in summer: black; back of head and hind-neck buff ; 

 scapulars, rump, and upper tail-coverts ashy white. Male in winter, 

 female, and young: above, yellowish brown, beneath paler, more buffy; 

 light stripe on crown. Length 6yi to 7/^ inches. 



Nest. In a meadow ; made of dried grass. 



Eggs. 4-6; white with green or buff tint, irregularly marked with 

 lilac and brown ; 0.85 X 0.60. 



The whole continent of America, from Labrador to Mexico, 

 and the Great Antilles, are the occasional residence of this truly 

 migratory species. About the middle of March or beginning 

 of April the cheerful Bobolink makes his appearance in the 

 southern extremity of the United States, becoming gradually 

 arrayed in his nuptial livery, and accompanied by troops of his 

 companions, who often precede the arrival of their more tardy 



