Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 553 



Although in some parts of the State the crow is regarded as 

 a nuisance and is taccused of eating sprouting corn and roasting- 

 ears, it does not appeal- to be so abundant here as to become an 

 economic factor of importance. 



97. BOBOLINK 



DOLICHONYX ORYZIVORUS (Linnaus) 



A rare summer resident. Noted August 5, 1899, when three or 

 foui- were seen in a meadow west of Culver wiiere they were evi- 

 dently nesting. Several were seen May 10, 1901, one near the 

 Outlet and four or five near the Arlington station. It probably 

 breeds in some numbers in the meadows west of the lake. 



98. COWBIRD 



MOLOTHRUS ATER (Boddacrt) 



Not rare as a summer resident; arrives about the middle of 

 April and remains until the last of October. 



Of all the birds that are summer residents at Maxinkuckee the 

 Cowbird is the only species which does not mate. These birds re- 

 main in flocks throughout the summer and small flocks may be 

 seen at almost any time. We have noted considerable flocks on 

 April 18, June 7, September 23, and October 15, 24, 25 and 30. 



99. REDWINGED BLACKBIRD 



AGELAIUS PHCENICEUS (Linnaeus) 



One of the most abundant and interesting summer residents. 

 They arrive from the south usually in the first week in March, the 

 males preceding the females by a few days, and remain until the 

 last of November. We have records of first arrival as follows: 

 March 4, 1899; March 9, 1900; March 8, 1901; March 6, 1902; 

 and March 5, 1903. Our latest records for the fall are November 

 29, 1900 ; November 21, 1904 ; and November 6, 1907. 



During the time between early March and late November they 

 are much in evidence and may be seen in numbers in all suitable 

 situations. They may usually be found in abundance about Norris 

 Inlet, Green's marsh, the Outlet, Lost Lake, and in the marshy 

 ground along the creek below the little lake. In September and 

 October, 1913, they were unusually abundant and fed to some ex- 

 tent on Chad wick's roasting ears. On September 21, a flock of 

 2,000 to 3,000 was seen in the evening flying southeast below Wal- 

 ley's. They nest in the cattails, tules, brushes and tall grasses in 

 all these places. The nesting season begins early in May (May 10. 



