32 The Wilson Blt.letin — No. 70. 



136. Doliclio>n/.r oryzivonis. — Boboliuk. 



Common over the \A-bole mainland region and on the larger isl- 

 ands all summer. Present at Cedar Point only as straggling indi- 

 viduals, except during the migrations. The median date of arrival 

 is April 27, the earliest being April 16, 1904, when it arrived sing- 

 ing. The latest fall record is October 0, 1897. The bulk usually 

 leaves by the middle of September. This bird does not become 

 common before the first week in Miay. Young birds have been 

 found by .June 12. Almost without exception nests are made in 

 meadows. Sometimes the males arrive in considerable flocks, but 

 more often singly or in small companies. The females arrive about 

 a week later than the first males. I have never witnessed any con- 

 siderable movement of Bobolinks, such as might be called a great 

 migration. None have ever been seen venturing out over the lake 

 as if to cross, nor have any been seen coming from over the lake. 



137. Molofihriis ater. — Cowbird. 



Common all summer, but abundant when the young birds begin 

 to flock together. The median date of arrival is March IS, the 

 earliest M^nrch 11, 1899. The bulk leave about the first of Octo- 

 ber, but individuals linger into November, with an occasional one 

 remaining all winter. It is well known that this bird spends the 

 spring and breeding season in small companies of males and fe- 

 males. When the breeding season draws to a close these com- 

 l)anies retire to the pastures, where they may be found about the 

 cattle. After the young have begun to flock the old birds seem to 

 join them and roost with them, usually in company with the 

 Grackles. When the Grackle migrations have been delayed consid- 

 erably I have seen Cowbirds in the great flocks of other " black- 

 birds." 



138. Xmrihocvphalus .Tantliocrjilialii!^.- — YelloWi-headed Blackbird. 



I have nothing to add to the record in " Birds of Ohio," page 218, 

 where it is stated that " There is a specimen in the collection of F. 

 Frey of 'Sandusky. A flock of six passed over Oberlin just above 

 the treetops, October 9, 1896." 



1.39. Afichiiits pJweniceiis. — Red-winged Blackbird. 



Common in all swampy and marshy places over the whole region. 

 It is even abundant in the Sandusky marshes, and in the marshes 

 of Middle Bass and Pelee Islands, where it nests in great numbers. 

 The median date of arrival is March 8, the earliest being Febru- 

 ary 26, 1906. The bulk have gone south by the third week in Oc- 

 tober, individuals lingering past the middle of November. I have 

 never noted individuals in mid-winter. Normally this blackbird 



