BIRDS OF PEASEMARSH 



to teach to avoid the dangers that beset them, 

 and their perils are many, for all the enemies 

 of the Meadowlarks are the Bobolinks' enemies 

 too. 



The young Bobolinks also encounter other 

 dangers than those from the agricultural im- 

 plements, prowling cats and bird-nesting 

 Crows and skunks and weasels. In the rice- 

 growing states, when migrating, they are 

 blamed for helping themselves freely to the 

 crop and are often shot. Some ornithologists 

 assert that the Blackbird does more harm than 

 the Bobolink. If this be the case, it is to be 

 hoped it may soon be thoroughly understood 

 and so useful and beautiful a bird as the Bobo- 

 link spared to return to us. 



THE ORIOLE 



While Meadowlarks and Bobolinks nest on 

 the ground their cousins, the Orioles, build 

 their nests on the high-drooping branches of 

 the tall elms. Wonderful architects they are to 

 weave those hanging nests and fasten them so 

 securely, from the four corners, to the branches 

 that droop protectingly over them. 



[96] 



