BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. 271 



my carriage and enjoyed as good an opportunity for observing 

 them as I would ask, except to have them in my hands, which, 

 having no gun with me, I could not do. The resemblance in 

 general form, color and movement was such that had there 

 been none of the other species, and they had not lighted on the 

 same field, I might not have identified them, at least I could 

 not with the same certainty. I have never seen them since 

 with sufficient certainty to list them, yet I believe I have 

 observed them in migration on one or two similar occasions. 

 I have little doubt that they visit Hudson bay occasionally at 

 least. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 



Fourth quill longest; second rather longer than seventh, first 

 shorter than ninth. Glossy-black, with green and violet re- 

 flections; the gloss of the belly greenish. 



Length, 15^; wing, 10^; tail, less than 7 inches; tarsus 

 shorter than the middle toe and claw. 



Habitat, said to be Atlantic coast from Long Island to Florida. 



Family ICTEEID^E. 



DOLICHONYX ORYZIVORUS (L ). (494.) 

 BOBOLINK. 



The Bobolink has shown greater variations in the dates of 

 its arrival in the vicinity of Minneapolis than almost any other 

 species of migrating birds. In the spring of 1870 it came on 

 the 5th of April. In 1865, none were seen until the 18th of 

 May. As a general average the males appear between the 

 27th of April, and the 7th of May, followed in a few days by the 

 females. Their distribution is universal over the State in 

 sections affording their favorite meadows. Their habits are 

 always of exceptional interest to those who are observers of 

 birds. The morning one is seen first after arrival, others will 

 ..be seen, and generally upon a green grass-plat grazed very 

 closely by cattle, drawn there by the presence of different 

 species of larvae upon which they feed in the absence of all kinds 

 of seeds. While the females are still absent they sing but 

 little comparatively, but instantly upon their arrival the music 

 begins in earnest. Courtship is inaugurated at once by the 

 songster with a frenzied display of his powers of melody. 

 With the feathers of his black head slightly lifted, and those 

 of the yellowish white neck thrown into a crest, the wings 



