237 



from Plymouth Mich., September 21, and from Cook County, 111., September 24. 

 In 1895 from Morgan Park, 111., September 12. 



During the spring migrations with us and throughout the breeding season the 

 food of the Bobolink is largely insects. Naturally those species frequenting grass 

 lands are chiefly preyed upon. As illustrations of this I may refer to the results 

 of two investigations of their food at this season. Dr. B. H. Warren, of West 

 Chester, Pa., examined the stomachs of twenty-seven specimens taken in Chester 

 County, Pa., in May, 1879, 1880, 1882 and 1883, and found that eighteen fed 

 exclusively on beetles, larvae, ants and a few earthworms; five, in addition to 

 insects and larva?, showed small seeds and particles of gray vegetable materials, 

 apparently the leaves of plants; the four remaining birds revealed only small 

 black and yellow colored seeds. (Birds of Pennsylvania, second edition, 1890, p. 

 207.) In the early part of May, 1886, Mr. George L. Toppan, of Chicago, exam- 

 ined the stomachs of nine Bobolinks taken near Grand Crossing, 111., not far from 

 the Indiana line. Eight had their stomachs full of insects, while the ninth con- 

 tained, in addition, a few worms. After the breeding season is over these birds 

 turn their attention to the ripening grass seeds. They seem to be especially fond 

 of the seeds of Hungarian grass. They are also said, in some localities, to eat 

 the milky grains of the maturing corn. On the whole, their life with us may be 

 said to be one of blessing and benefit, of happiness and good cheer. In the South, 

 along the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts, how different are its portents. There 

 they are winged destroyers, blighting the prospects of the results of man's labors. 

 Dr. Merriam, in his report as Chief of the Division of Ornithology and Mammal- 

 ogy of the United States Department of Agriculture for 1886, gives the results of 

 his investigations of the destruction caused by the Bobolinks, locally known as 

 "rice birds," among the rice-growing regions of the South. I take the liberty of 

 giving the following extracts from a letter from Capt. William Miles Hazzard, 

 of Annadale, S. C, one of the largest rice growers of that state, which is included 

 in the above-mentioned report and will, better than anything else that I know, 

 give an idea of the work of these birds among the rice fields. 



"The Bobolinks make their appearance here during the latter part of April. 

 At that season the plumage is white and black, and they sing merrily when at 

 rest. Their flight is always at night. In the evening there will be none. In the 

 morning their appearance is heralded by the popping of whips and firing of mus- 

 ketry by the bird minders in their efforts to keep the birds from pulling up the 

 young rice. This warfare is kept up incessantly until about the 25th of May, 

 when they suddenly disappear at night. Their nest appearance is in a dark yel- 

 low plumage as the ricebird. There is no song at this time, but instead a chirp 



