CONSPICUOUSLY BLACK AND WHITE 391 
Geographical Distribution: Generally throughout North America, and 
seems to be gradually reaching the Pacific coast, migrating to the 
West Indies and the valley of the Amazon. 
Breeding Range: In Transition zone in open prairies locally, throughout 
its habitat. 
Breeding Season: May 15 to July 1. 
Nest; Of dried weeds and grasses; hidden on the ground among tall 
grasses or concealed in a depression. 
Eggs: 5 to 7; dull or grayish white to reddish brown, irregularly spotted 
and blotched with browns and purples. Size 0.85 X 0.64. 
ALTHOUGH at present only a rare fall visitant in Cali- 
fornia, there are evidences that the Bobolink of the East 
is moving westward with the great tide of civilization, 
and gradually forsaking the Atlantic coast to become a 
permanent resident of the Pacific States. There is no 
other bird quite like him or that can take his place in 
the heart of one who has heard his tinkling banjo-like 
song in the meadows east of the Mississippi, — 
‘* The rollicking, jubilant whistle, 
That flows like a brooklet along.” 
While his demure brown sweetheart listens in the long 
meadow grass, Robert of Lincoln flies upward on quiver- 
ing wings, exploding with melody, and the higher he 
flies the more joyously he sings. It is a rhapsody on 
the glory of the June morning and the joy of loving. 
His nest is securely hidden in the tangle of clover or 
wild grass, often placed in the hollow made by a cow’s 
foot, sometimes woven among the clover stems and al- 
most impossible to find. The mother bird broods alone 
for thirteen days, while Robert frolics gayly over the fields 
with others of his sex, always within call, but seldom or 
never feeding her. When the young are hatched, how- 
