THE BOBOLINK. 291 



In due time the young appear, a thrifty family, all clad 

 in the plain but beautiful habit of the female, having a great 

 deal of yellow, almost of bright yellow, on the under 

 parts. When they leave the nest the parents show the great- 

 est solicitude for them, flitting about in the most excited 

 manner, and chipping loudly when their domain is intruded 

 upon. 



The nest of the Bobolink being so well hid away, and in 

 parts little infested by enemies, it would seem that the 

 species must sustain but a small loss during the breed- 

 ing season. 



These birds have their casualties, however. Walking 

 once over a meadow along a little stream, I saw a young 

 Bobolink fluttering over the edge of the water; and going 

 up to it, saw something like a good sized stone just under 

 it, which I imagined had in some way fastened down the 

 bird so that it could not get away. Taking hold of the 

 supposed stone and lifting it out of the water to free the 

 bird, my friend accompanying me called out, "a turtle!" 

 Sure enough! a large turtle had been holding the bird by 

 the foot, but relinquished it on my interference. I do not 

 know which was the quickest, I to let go the turtle, or the 

 bird to fly away to the woods beyond. 



Perhaps the bird, thinking this reptile a stone, had lit on 

 it to drink, and had thus been entraped by the treacherous 

 object. 



About the 20th of August these birds are gathered in 

 flocks preparatory to migration. By this time the old males 

 have laid aside the gay livery of the breeding season, and 

 appear as plain and sparrow-like as the rest of the family. 

 Imagine the chagrin and disappointment of European bird 

 fanciers, in the early history of our country, who, having 

 captured Bobolink in all the glory of the breeeding season, 



