154 THE RICE BIRD, OR BOB-O-LINK. 



wings, to whom they bear a sensible likeness, as well as a similarity 

 in notes and manners. When on the ground, they scratch up the soil 

 and appear very intent after their food. Sometimes even, infringing 

 on the rights of the Plover, individuals in the winter, frequent the 

 margins of ponds in quest of aquatic insects and small Shell-fish; ani 

 they may be seen industriously occupied in turning over the leaves 

 of the water-plants to which they adhere. They also frequent occa- 

 sionally the rice and corn-fields, as well as their more notorious* 

 associates, but are more inclined to native food and insects at all 

 times, so that they are more independent and less injurious to the 

 farmer. As they exist in Mexico, and California, it is probable, that 

 they are also bred in the higher table lands, as well as in the regions 

 of the north. In Louisiana, however, according to Audubon, they 

 are rare visitors at any season, scenting more inclined to follow their 

 route through the maritime districts. Over these countries, high in 

 the air, in the month of October, they are seen by day winging their 

 way to the remoter regions of the south. 



THE RICE BIRD, OR BOB-O-LINK. 



The whole continent of America, from Labrador to Mexico, and 

 the great Antilles, are the occasional residence of this truly migratory 

 species. About the middle of March, or beginning of April, the 

 cheerful Bob-o-link makes his appearance in the southern extremity 

 of the United States, becoming gradually arrayed in his nuptial livery, 

 and accompanied by troops of his companions, who often precede the 

 arrival of their more tardy mates. According to Richardson it is the 

 beginning of June when they arrive at their farthest boreal station 

 in the fifty -forth degree. We observed them in the great western 

 plains to the base of the Rocky Mountains, but not in Oregon. Their 

 wintering resort appears to be rather the West Indies than the tropical 

 continent, as their migrations are observed to take place generally to 

 the east of Louisiana, where their visits are rare and irregular. At 

 this season also they make their approaches chiefly by night, obeying, 

 as it were, more distinctly, the mandates of an overruling instinct, 

 which prompts them to seek out their natal regions; while in autumn, 

 their progress, by day only, is alone instigated by the natural quest of 

 ibo.l. About the 1st of May the meadows of Massachusetts begin to 

 re -echo their lively ditty. At this season, in wet places, and by newly 

 ploughed fields they destroy many insects and their larva?. According to 

 their success in obtaining food, parties bften delay their final northern 

 movement as late as the middle of May, so that they appear to be in no 

 haste to arrive at their destination at any exact period. The principal 

 business of their lives, however, the rearing of their young, does not 

 take place until they have left the parallel of the fortieth degree. The 

 nests of these birds are built of grass, and placed sometimes on the sum- 

 mit of a tree, sometimes among the creeping plants that cover its trunk ; 

 those in the trees are larger and shaped more regular than the others. In 



