228 The Bobolink 
directly up—instead of running through the grass 
as usual for some distance before taking to her wings— 
thus revealing her secret to the hunter. 
As soon as the young are hatched the male begins 
the task of helping the female provide for the hungry, 
clamoring little family, and an arduous task it is, 
for even after the young leave the nest the parents 
provide food for them until they are able to find it 
or themselves. During this period the gaudy coat of 
the male bobolink disappears—it is moulting time— 
and the whole family is of the same sober color; 
the song also is given up along with the coat, and the 
only note heard is the call note, a metallic chink. 
About the first of August most of the young bobo- 
links are on the wing, practicing for their long journey; 
the old and young become more clannish each day 
as they move slowly southward along the river courses, 
where the smaller flocks unite, making a vast army, 
which moves slowly toward the rice fields. The 
bobolinks now become fat and thousands of them 
are shot and sold in the markets. ‘Their flesh is said 
to be very delicate. 
It is toward the latter part of August they reach 
the rice fields, and for about six weeks there is no 
rest for the rice growers. The birds swarm upon 
the fields by millions—a scourge worse than a plague 
