BRITISH COLU MBIA. AND HYPOTHETICAL LIST. 969 
DIVISION) “C- 
Description of species known to occur in British Columbia and whose 
occurrence in Washington is presumptive. 
B. C. & H. No. 1. 
BOBOLINK. 
A. O. U. No. 494. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.). 
Synonyms.—Skunk Bracxesirp. REEpD-BIRD. RiceE-Birp. MEADOW-WINK. 
Description.—Adult male, breeding plumage: Head and below, rich glossy black,— 
the feathers having at first a buffy edging which wears off as the season advances; a broad 
nuchal patch of strong buff or cream; scapulars, lower back, rump, and upper tail-coverts 
pale white; middle back gray; upper back, wings and tail glossy to dead black with various 
buffy edging; tail-feathers sharply pointed; bill dull black; feet brown. Adult female: 
Ground color of plumage olive-buff,—clearest below, and in median crown, superciliary, 
and inter-scapular stripes; the remainder black and brownish-fuscous. Adults in fall, and 
young: Like female in spring, but buffer and with less black throughout. I.ength 7.00-7.50; 
wing 3.00-4.00; tail 2.75-3.00 ; bill .55; tarsus .90-1.00. Female averages a half- bach shorter, 
with similar proportions. 
Recognition Marks.—Chewink size; black, white, and buff plumage of breeding male. 
The breeding female is a shy and obscurely colored bird, to be recognized by the amateur 
mainly thru the attentions of the male. At other seasons both sexes and all ages may be 
known by the frequently uttered dink cry. In the hand the acute tail-feathers are quite 
distinctive. 
Nesting.—Nest: on the ground in meadows or deserted fields, a slight, grass-lined 
depression concealed with some art, but not definitely overarched. Eggs: 4-7, yellowish 
clay or stone-gray, heavily spotted and blotched with umber, drab, and even lavender 
Av. size, .87 x .63. 
General Range.—Chiefly eastern North America, west to edge of Great Plains, breeding 
in Northern United States and more southern British Provinces; rare or locally distributed 
west of the Rocky Mountains but probably extending its range westerly; in winter south 
to the West Indies and South America. 
Occurrence in British Columbia.—This handsome species is a regular sumnier resident 
in the valley of the Okanagan. It is common at Penticton and scarce although still breeding 
as far north as Vernon and Lumby. I have also seen it frequently at Chilliwack on the 
lower Fraser, and believe that it may have bred there for I have taken both adults and 
young in July. 
Supposed Occurrence in Washington.—Reported by Dr. Merrill as breeding in the 
valley of the St. Joseph River in Idaho and by Dr. A. G. Prill as occurring at Scio, Oregon. 
These appearances taken in conjunction with the bird’s well known residence in British 
Columbia make its occurrence in eastern Washington, at least during migrations, almost 
certain. 
IT is matter for the greatest congratulation that the Bobolink has made its appearance 
in the Pacific Northwest and we have reason to believe that the species will become 
thoroughly established in our more open valleys. While its ways hereabouts are still 
comparatively little known the very mention of its name will serve to recall to many 
minds pleasant memories of childhood in Ontario, or, it may be, in New England. For 
next after Bluebird, the coming of Bobolink marks the broadest step in that golden stair 
of springtime, by which the eastern bird-lover yearly attains the height of ornithological 
joy. His coming heralds that tidal wave of migration which begins somewhere during the 
last week in April, and sweeps over the iand till the middle of May or the 1st of June. 
Without waiting for their more modest mates, the males press northward, hot-winged, to 
riot for a while over the dank meadows in bachelor companies. and to perfect that marvel 
of tumultuous song. Oh how they sing! those Bacchanals of springtime. From fence-post 
or tree-top, or quivering in mid-air, they pour forth such an ecstacy of liquid gurgling 
notes as must thrill the very clods. Such exuberance of spirit, such reckless abandon of 
mirth-compelling joy would cure a sick preacher on blue Monday. As the bird sings he 
bows and scrapes and pirouettes till, as Wheaton says, “he resembles a French dancing 
master in uniform, singing, fiddling, dancing, and calling off at the same time.’ 
