52 TIMES OF MIGRATION, 
attention to a study of nesting habits. As a matter of 
fact, the nesting season begins quite as early as the 
spring migration, the Great Horned Owl laying its eggs 
late in February. In March and April other birds of 
prey and the earlier migrants nest. May migrants go 
to housekeeping soon after they reach their old homes, 
and by June 5 there are few species that have not 
nests. 
With birds that rear two or three broods, the nest- 
ing season may extend into August. With those that 
have but one brood it may be over early in July. At 
this time we begin to miss the jolly, rollicking music 
of the Bobolink. Soon he will leave the meadow he has 
animated for two months, and with his young join grow- 
ing flocks of his kind in the wild-rice marshes. His ~ 
handsome suit of black and white and buff will be ex- 
changed for the sparrowlike Reedbird dress, and in place 
of the merry song he will utter only a metallic tink. This 
note is characteristic of the season. Day and night we 
hear it from birds high in the air as they hasten to their 
rendezvous in the marshes. 
July 1, Tree Swallows, who nest rarely if at all near 
New York city, appear and establish their headquarters 
in the Hackensack meadows—a first step on the migra- 
tory journey. July is a month for wanderers. The nest- 
ing season of most one-brooded birds is over; they are 
not yet ready to migrate, and pass the time roving about 
the country with their families. 
In August birds are molting and moping.. The 
careful observer will find that a few Warblers and Fly- 
catchers have returned from the north and are passing 
southward, but, as a rule, August is a month to test 
the patience of the most enthusiastic bird student. Late 
in the month migrants become more numerous, but be- 
tween the “flights” or “waves” there are days when 
