“a most curlous, 1ncom- 
Samuels calls its song 
When the young have 
season a vigorous and persistent singer. 
prehensible, jingling, roundabout, joyous, laughable medley.’ 
flown, the Bobolink loses its bright plumage and its rollicking song, and indulges for the 
remainder of its sojourn in nothing more melodious than a peculiar chirp. 
A bird of the meadows, and nests upon the ground. 
PERE Xx. COW.BIRD: 
Molothrus ater. 
General color iridescent black; head and neck deep brown; tail 
square ; bill and feet black. Length, 7.90 inches. 
Migratory. Arrives early in April, leaves early in October. The Cowbird does not 
pair, it builds no nest, and the hatching of its eggs is imposed upon some other bird after 
the fashion of the European Cuckoo. It is, in short, a polygamist, a parasite, and altogether 
“a bird of loose principles.” It is found in flocks, usually in the company of cattle, 
and has a harsh call, suggesting the syllables c/uch -see-see. A walker. 
97 
