THE BIRDS OF WAYNE COUNTY. 301 



A somewhat interesting case of rostral malformation is exhibited by a mounted 

 Crow in the possession of Mr. R. A. Schnably, of West Salem. The mandible is per- 

 fectly normal ; but the maxilla, though of usual length, is curved downward, crossing 

 the mandible on the left side, and describing a complete semi-circle, so that its tip is 

 below and on nearly a vertical line with the base of the bill. It would seem that 

 such abnormality could hardly fail to seriously interfere with the bird's feeding, yet 

 this Crow was, as Mr. Schnably informed me, very fat and apparently in perfectly 

 healthy condition. 



FAMILY ICTERID/E. BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 



SUBFAMILY ICTERIN/E. BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 1 



GENUS DOLICHONYX SWAINSON. 



99. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (LINN.). 

 Bobolink. 



An abundant summer resident. It appears in spring generally during the first 

 week of May, but in 1891 was noted April 21. It retires southward ordinarily by the 

 first of October. 



About the first of July it begins to gather into flocks, which apparently seldom 

 exceed two hundred and fifty individuals. The males continue in spring plumage 

 until at least the middle of July. During the month of September, and sometimes 

 in August, especially on dark cloudy nights, this species may be heard passing over 

 the city on its southward migration. 



The Bobolink breeds chiefly during the last of May and in June, the nest being 

 usually located in a grass field, on either the uplands or the lowlands. Late nests are 

 not infrequently destroyed by the mowing of the grass in the fields where they hap- 

 pen to be situated. This species seems to be, if anything, slightly on the increase in 

 this region. 



GENUS MOLOTHRUS SWAINSON. 



100. Molothrus ater (BODD.). 

 Cowbird. 



An abundant summer resident. It arrives usually between the middle of -March 

 and the first of April, the earliest date noted being March 16 (1894). It disappears in 

 October, not having been seen after the twentieth of this month. 



In spring it moves chiefly in small companies, flocks of over a hundred being the 

 exception ; but after the breeding season, in July or early in August, it begins to col- 

 lect again into flocks, which thereafter often aggregate several hundred individuals. 

 It is frequently found associated in spring and autumn with numbers of both Red- 

 winged Blackbirds and Bronzed Crackles. It is also accasionally noted in company 

 with Robins. 



1 The two subfamilies of Icteridx are not recognized in the A. O. U. Check List, but are apparently 

 advisable divisions. 



