103 



were all there, still covered with down, but when the nest was disturbed, 

 two eggs rolled out of the feathers about the nest. 



"I have known them in full song March 8. * * * After the harvest 

 is over and the young are able to take care of themselves, most of the 

 Meadowlarks seek choice spots, and but seldom are their songs heard" 

 (Butler). Butler also mentions hearing their song in September and 

 November. The writer has heard them singing every hionth in the year, 

 nine of which are spent in this region. Following rtre soirie dates for 

 Bloomington: 0-28: 10-12; 11-8; 12-18, '02; 1-24; 2-26; 3-2; 4-8; 5-1; 6-9, '03. 



The Meadowlark is another bird which migrates considerably by day. 

 The immense, noisy flocks of February and March are always on the 

 move. Fifty of these birds were seen as early as January 21, 1903, flying 

 over due north at a height which made it necessary to use a powerful 

 h'eld-glass to identify them. 



This species, as well as; most of the members of tile family Icteridae, is 

 noted for its gregarious habits. That the different species should show 

 such habits inttr *'. as do the swallows, is a more remarkable thing. 

 That this seems to be the case is the only logical conclusion to be drawn 

 from a study of local migration schedules. For instance, for a few days 

 previous to March 21, 1903, Meadowlarks and Grackles, both resident 

 species were the only Icterldw seen. On the 21st, however, these species 

 became augumented in numbers while Rusty Grackles, Redwings and 

 Cowbirds, not seen for several days before, again made their appearance 

 in considerable nuinbers. This family migration is to be observed in the 

 Ictn-idcn at the time the species become abundant and not at their first, 

 arrival. The 1 Orioles move together in the same way and become numer- 

 ous at about the same time. 

 102. [506] Icti'i'u* xjitJD-iti* CLinii. ). Orchard Oriole.* 



Common summer resident, abundant and conspicuous during the 

 spring migration. April 17 to August 29. These dates are edch one day 

 earlier than the recorded limits of its stay in the State. Six years out of 

 ten, this species arrived before the Baltimore Oriole. This is a somewhat 

 different proportion than the two out of fifteen obtained by A. W. Butler. 

 The difference may be explained by a change in habit, as the dates of 

 arrival of the Orchard Oriole before that of its relative are all included 

 in the last seven years in which observations have been made at this 

 point. This change in date of arrival is probably correlated with the 



