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A MERICAN ORNI THOL O G V. 



as the starting points for his melodious aerial excursions. Between 

 songs he will often give voice to a deep "chee" as if to inform you 

 that he belongs to the blackbird family. Even when it is evident that 

 he is very much alarmed and that you are very close to the nest that 

 he treasures so much, he cannot remain quiet, but in spite of sorrow 

 will continually take short flights into the air and sing as though his 

 throat would burst, always returning quickly to continue his harsh 



FEMALE BOBOLINK. 



scolding. A number of Bobolinks frequently build in the same field. 

 On one day this summer I counted six male bobolinks in the same 

 apple tree, all of whom had nests within a short distance. In the same 

 field, there were nesting several pairs of Meadowlarks, a pair of Grass- 

 hopper Sparrows and two Bay-winged Sparrows or Grassfinches. 



Soon after the young are ready to fly, during the middle of July the 

 Bobolinks commence to moult and in another month the male bird 



