32 U. S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 211 



possessed of the same musical powers as is his neighbours, it becomes amusing 

 to listen to thirty or forty of them beginning one after another, as if ordered to 

 follow in quick succession, after the first notes are given by a leader, and producing 

 such a medley as it is impossible to describe, although it is extremely pleasant to 

 hear it. While you are listening, the whole flock simultaneously ceases, which 

 appears equally extraordinary. This curious exhibition takes place every time 

 that the flock has alighted on a tree, after feeding for awhile on the ground, and 

 is renewed at intervals during the day. 



Bobolinks are, apparently, somewhat irregular in their appearance 

 and never very abundant in Louisiana in spring, whence they migrate 

 northward through the Mississippi Valley in moderate numbers; they 

 are generally regarded as only fairly common, or even rare, in the 

 southern half of this Valley. This would seem to indicate that the 

 large numbers of these birds that nest in the more western States and 

 Provinces must reach their breeding grounds by a westward migration 

 from some of the Atlantic States. 



The flood tide of the great spring migration flows rapidly in a nearly 

 northward direction through the Atlantic States, mainly east of the 

 Alleghenies, and reaches the northern breeding grounds during the 

 last of April or early in May. Some observers say that it migrates 

 by day and others regard it as a night traveler; perhaps circumstances 

 vary and both are partially correct. Bendire (1895) quotes the following 

 from W. M. Hazzard, of Annandale, S. C. : "The Bobolinks make their 

 appearance here during the latter part of April. At that season their 

 plumage is white and black, and they sing merrily when at rest. 

 Their flight is always at night. In the evening there are none. In 

 the morning their appearance is heralded by the popping of whips 

 and firing of musketry by the bird minders in their efforts to keep the 

 birds from pulling up the young rice. This warfare is kept up 

 incessantly until about the 25th of May, when they suddenly dis- 

 appear at night." 



In Massachusetts, we eagerly await their arrival around the 10th 

 of May and are seldom disappointed, as their jovial, rollicking songs 

 bring life to the fresh, green meadows. 



Courtship. — The males arrive a few days or a week in advance of 

 the females, to select their nesting territories and to indulge in a few 

 days of jolly frolic and exuberant song; the fields and meadows are 

 now being clothed with fresh green grass and the trees are bursting 

 into new foliage. The carefree birds are singing in little groups in 

 the trees, or chasing each other about over their chosen homes. When 

 the females come, courting begins in earnest; this largely consists of 

 rivalry in song, as the handsome male in full nuptial dress pours out 

 his joyous melody while perched on some tall, waving weed stalk, 

 low tree, or fence. Often a "game of tag" ensues, as the female flies 

 across the field, with two males in hot pursuit, as if she were saying 



