6 
2 
BOBOLINK. 
494. Dolichonyx oryzworus. 7% 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 is 
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 guard 
to see that nu enemies approach. He is a good watch- 
man and it is a difficult matter 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 brown 
(.85 x .62). 
Range.—N. A. east of the Rockies, breeding from 
New Jersey and Kansas north to Manitoba and New 
Brunswick; winters in South America. 
