65 



*174. Corvus americanus AmL AMERICAN CROW. 



Resident, common southward but not BO numerous in winter northward. 

 Breeds. They sometimes congregate in immense flocks in some locality in the 

 winter. Such places are called " roosts." Mr. Blatchley informs me there is a 

 "roost" near Terre Haute. I have never seen one of these locations. Upon the 

 authority of an observing farmer near Indianapolis I learn of an interesting bit of 

 biographical matter which has heretofore escaped my notice. A year or two ago 

 his tomato patch was infested with great numbers of worms and he was compelled 

 to wage relentless warfare against the unwelcome visitors. One day he observed a 

 row acting in an unusual manner among his plant?. Upon investigation he 

 found it was eating " tomato worms." The next day more crows were seen among 

 the vines, and for a few days the company increased until quite a number daily 

 sought his tomato plants, depending upon the ins-cln caught for their food. This 

 was continued until the " worms" were all killed. 



FAMILY ICTERID^E. BLACKBIRDS; ORIOLES; ETC. 



GENUS DOLICHONYX SWAINSON. 



Bobolink. 

 : 175. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.). BOBOLINK; WHITE-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 



Known in various localities as " Ortolan," ' Heed-bird," " Rice-bird," Skunk 

 Blackbird, Bob Lincoln, Butter-bird ( Jamaica N . Common summer resident 

 northward. Migrant southward in variable numbers. Has been noted as breeding 

 as far south as Indianapolis (Dr. Brayton), Richmond and Muncie. I found it 

 on June 13, 1891, near the southern limit of Wayne County. The song of 

 the male in spring is the charm of the northern prairies and meadows. Little 

 would the uninitiated suppose the plain, quiet, brown bird of the stubble fields in 

 autumn the same whose happy voice proclaimed the pride he felt in his striking 

 coat of black and white, whose cheery notes and lively ways gave the hitherto 

 unattractive grass-land an interest before unknown. 



GENUS MOLOTHRUS SWAINSON. 

 *176.' Molothrus ater ( B^dJ.). COWBIRD. 



Common summer resident. Generally gregarious. Lays its eggs in the nests 

 of other birds. Arrives from the South sometimes early in March and remains 

 into November. 



5 A PP. I TORT. 



