106 THE DICKCISSEL. 
those clinking syllables, which because of their very simplicity have been so 
variously interpreted: Sheep, sheep, shear, shear, sheep; or See, see, see me 
here, see; or better still, Dick, dick, dickcissel. ‘The three sentences just given 
fairly represent the range of variety in accent as well as in tempo. 
The female is a shy bird and her movements are known only to her at- 
tentive spouse. Once the nest is built she relies upon her mate’s diplomacy in 
conducting visitors out of 
bounds, while she sticks 
to her knitting. Some- 
times if danger is quite 
imminent she will 
Aas . 
y A PRO slip off the nest, but 
2 : , 
f Be so quietly as to af- 
MES SRS ‘ 
ford no clue for the 
Taken near Columbus. 
Photo by the Author. 
A DICKCISSEL MEADOW. 
search. Once off she manifests a singular indifference to all that is transpiring, 
and as likely as not refuses to appear upon the witness stand at all. The male 
sings only somewhat more energetically when the nest is being robbed, as if 
quite unable to comprehend the meaning of such a heartless proceeding. 
The nest is commonly placed upon the ground, flush with the surface or 
slightly elevated. In either case it is apt to be a slovenly affair incapable of 
transportation. Sometimes, however, the nest is a close-knit structure placed 
from two to six feet high in wayside weed-clumps, bushes, or trees. Two 
broods are commonly raised each season, after which the birds become quite 
silent and prepare for an early departure in September. 
This prairie-loving species is an invader from the south-west. Audubon 
