70 



AVIFAUNA COLUMBIANA. 



such as the Cardinal loves. Much of its time is spent upon the ground 

 scratching among fallen leaves. Its local name hereabouts is " Marsh 

 Robin," the other being seldom, if ever, heard. [301] 



Family ICTEBIDiE : Blackbirds, &c. 



107. (140.) Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.) Sw. Bobolink (in the spring); Eeed- 

 bird (in the fall). 



A spring and autumn migrant, abundant. In the former season, the 

 hocks on their way northward throw themselves into the fields and 

 meadows, making their "mad music" and attracting general attention 

 by their turbulency from the 1st to the 15th of May. They could always 

 be depended upon, early in May, in the fields along Fourteenth street 

 beyond UST ; and, though these are now built up, College Hill still re- 

 ceives the guests at the same season as formerly. In the spring of 1882, 

 estopped like the rest of the migrants from passing northward, they 

 " banked up " in the city parks, particularly the grounds about the 

 White House ; and very likely some of the cranks and quidnuncs which 



Fig. 48.— Bobolink. 



abound at the National Capital drew political augury from the unwonted 

 babel of song. At this season the tawny females are inconspicuous, but 

 the black-and-buff males have for the most part nearly finished their 

 vernal tailoring, which they accomplish by dyeing their old suits with- 

 out losing a feather. The familiar " clink" of the Reed-bird begins to 

 be heard over the tracts of wild oats along the river banks about the 

 20th of August, and from that time until October the restaurants are all 

 supplied with "Reed-birds" — luscious morsels when genuine; but a great 

 many Blackbirds and English Sparrows are devoured by accomplished 

 gourmands, who nevertheless do not know the difference when the bill 

 of fare is printed correctly and the charges are sufficiently exorbitant. 



[312 1 



