98 The Birds of Albany County 



Yet despite the bad reputation which Cowbird has gained and 

 which he invariable sustains, the male is a trim and handsome 

 fellow. Lengthy studies of this interesting bird have been 

 made by many close observers, therefore I will take leave of 

 him by saying that he and his slightly smaller, slate-colored 

 mate are everywhere common in Albany County. The eggs 

 are grayish-white, thickly speckled with black. The most 

 devoted ornithologist has never yet succeeded in determining 

 how many are laid in a season. Rarely more than one or 

 two are deposited in one nest. 



Bobolink. — Dolichonyx oryzivorus. 7.25 



Common Summer Resident 



Field marks. — Large blotches of creamy-white on back and 

 nape ; rest of plumage black. 



Wherever grassy fields abound, the exhilarating, delightful, 

 but hopelessly indescribable music of the Bobolink is heard 

 in Albany County. Go out into the country some early June 

 day, where the air is heavy with the perfume of red-clover, 

 and listen to Bobolink's perplexing melodies; if you are sad 

 at heart, life will instantly seem better, even gay. You will 

 know him by this description; he looks like a Blackbird that 

 has been caught in a snowstorm and still retains the white 

 crystals on his glossy back. The female is brownish-gray, and 

 in the Fall the male assumes the same garb. When they 

 go south they become Reedbirds and are shot by the thousands 

 for the damage they do to the rice crops, and, incidentally, 

 for their tender flesh, which is said to be excellent. All the 



