BIRDS OF MINNESOTA. Q(t 
my carriage and enjoyed as good an opportunity for observing 
them as I would ask, except to have them in my hands, which, 
having no gun with me, I could notdo. The resemblance in 
general form, color and movement was such that had there 
been none of theother species, and they had not lighted on the 
same field, I might not have identified them, at least I could 
not with the same certainty. I have never seen them since 
with sufficient certainty to list them, yet I believe I have 
observed them in migration on one or two similar occasions. 
I have little doubt that they visit Hudson bay occasionally at 
least. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 
Fourth quill longest; second rather longer than seventh, first 
shorter than ninth. Glossy-black, with green and violet re- 
flections; the gloss of the belly greenish. 
Length, 154; wing, 103; tail, less than 7 inches; tarsus 
shorter than the middle toe and claw. 
Habitat, said to be Atlantic coast from Long Island to Florida. 
Family ICTERID_. 
DOLICHONYX ORYZIVORUS (L.). (494.) 
BOBOLINK. 
The Bobolink has shown greater variations in the dates of 
its arrival in the vicinity of Minneapolis than almost any other 
species of migrating birds. In the spring of 1870 it came on 
the 5th of April. In 1865, none were seen until the 18th of 
May. As a general average the males appear between the 
27th of April, and the 7th of May, followed ina few days by the 
females. Their distribution is universal over the State in 
sections affording their favorite meadows. Their habits are 
always of exceptional interest to those who are observers of 
birds. The morning one is seen first after arrival, others will 
be seen, and generally upon a green grass-plat grazed very 
closely by cattle, drawn there by the presence of different 
species of larve upon which they feed in the absence of all kinds 
of seeds. While the females are still absent they sing but — 
little comparatively, but instantly upon their arrival the music 
begins in earnest. Courtship is inaugurated at once by the 
songster with a frenzied display of his powers of melody. 
With the feathers of his black head slightly lifted, and those 
of the yellowish-white neck thrown into a crest. the wings 
