88 NEWS FROM THE BIRDS. 



is hidden. Thus, you j)Brceive, hunting bobo- 

 links' nests is not so easy a task, especially be- 

 neath a broiling sun. 



A pretty picture is a male bobolink wad- 

 ing through and climbing over the deep clover 

 when it is in bloom, his white and black trim- 

 mings contrasting sharply with the green and 

 red of the o:rass. Sometimes he will stand on 

 the top of a tuft of clover, revealing his entire 

 form; then he will sink completely out of 

 sight for a few moments, and presently re- 

 appear, perhaps showing only the white of his 

 back and the buff of his nape. 



As the season advances bobolink becomes 

 less musical ; there are little ones in the nest 

 which he must help to feed and protect, for 

 he is not so fine a gentleman that he will not 

 work. When the young birds are out of the 

 nest and the time approaches for leaving their 

 summer home, the entire colony of bobolinks 

 will gather in a flock and wheel around over 

 the fields, taking flying exercises, and then, be- 

 fore one is aware, they have suddenly dis- 

 appeared, going to the reedy swamps and rice- 

 fields of the South. Mr. Bobolink lays aside 

 his gay wedding suit and puts on a coat that 

 is almost like that of his plain brown mate. 



