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, sec; 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 

 slip off the nest, but 

 so quietly as to af- 

 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 



