BOBOLINK. 



494. Dolichonyx oryzivorus. ly^, inches. 



Bobolinks are to be found in rich grass meadows, 

 from whence their sweet, wild music is often borne to us 

 by the breeze. While his mate is feeding in the grass 

 or attending to their domestic affairs, Mr. Bobolink ig 

 usually to be found perched on the tip of a tree, weed 

 stalk, or even on a tall blade of grass, if no other spot 

 of vantage is available, singing while he stands guar(? 

 to see that no enemies approach. He is a good watch= 

 man and it is a difficult niatt*^r to flush his mate from 

 the nest, for she leaves at his first warning. 



Song. — A wild, sweet, rippling repetition of his name 

 with many additional trills and notes. Alarm note 

 a harsh "chah" like that of the Blackbird. 



Nest. — Of grasses in a hollow on the ground, in 

 meadows. They lay four to six eggs with a white ground 

 color, heavily spotted, clouded and blotched with browm 

 (.85X.62). 



Range. — N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from 

 New Jersey and Kansas north to Manitoba and New 

 BriTOSwkk: winters in South AmericEc 



