BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



their families had they not learned to conceal 

 their nests so cleverly. 



BOBOLINK 



One cannot think of the Meadowlark with- 

 out being reminded of his cousin, the Bobolink, 

 for they live in the same alfalfa fields and 

 roost on the same old fence rails and the same 

 old barnyard gate-posts. We have seen a 

 Meadowlark on one gate-post and a Bobolink 

 on the other, each from that look-out point 

 guarding his mate on the nest on the ground in 

 the alfalfa. At this season Bobolink is dressed 

 in his most beautiful plumage, his head, breast 

 and wings look like jet-black satin and his 

 back like richest brocade. No birds sing more 

 sweetly to their mates on the nest than the 

 Bobolinks. It is usually some time early in 

 July before their young are ready to leave the 

 nest, and, when nesting in alfalfa, the first crop 

 of which is cut before that, their nests, like 

 those of the Meadowlarks, often come to grief. 

 By this time Bobolink ceases to sing and 

 changes his beautiful plumage for a dress very 

 like that of his plain brown mate. His real 

 work has begun. He has a family to feed and 

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