THE 



Vol. 1. No. 6. GAINES, N. Y., OCT., 1884. 



( Published Monthly. 

 "I 50c. Pek Year. 



The Bobolink. 



Leaving the swamp and coming out, into 

 the broad meadows in the vicinity, I am 

 greeted by the newly-arrived Bobolink 

 {Dolidionyx oryzivorus). It is difficult to 

 speak of the Bobolink without going into 

 ecstasies. To say the least, he is the finest 

 bird of our fields and meadows. See him 

 mount that stake by the roadside ! Every 

 feather of his jet-black front is partially 

 raised, the elegant creamy-white patch on 

 the back of the head and neck is elevated 

 into a crest; his wings and scapulars, so 

 finelj^ marked with white, are partially 

 extended; and as he pours forth his mar- 

 velous song, he waltzes gracefully to his 

 own music, turning slowly around, so that 

 the beholder may have a fair view of all 

 sides. Now he launches into the air, and — 

 half hovering — half tiying— his song be- 

 comes e\ eu more resonant and penetrating ; 

 the loud, rich, liquid notes of his prolonged 

 and varied warble causing the air to vi- 

 brate over many acres of the open field. 

 The first tinkling tones are like those of a fine 

 musical box rapidly struck, then come the 

 longer drawn notes as of a rich viol or 

 violin, and finally the sweet liquid, limpid, 

 gurgling sounds as of an exquisite bell- 

 toned piano lightly and skillfully touched. 

 These several different strains, variously 

 modulated, are uttered with a rapid, gush- 

 ing volubility, which to an untrained ear 

 might sound like the performance of a 

 whole chorus of songsters. As the strain 

 ceases, he drops down most gracefully with 

 elevated wings into the clovei', or, grasp- 

 ing the elastic culms of the taller grasses, 

 swings proudly on his tiny perch. Each 

 individual adopts his own territory and 

 adiieres io it, compelling his intruding 

 neighbor to retire to his own side of the 

 road or fence, and then returning to his 

 own domain with an air of independence and 



authority. Here he keeps up his proud antics 

 and charming melody some week or 10 days 

 before the female arrives. Only 7.50 long, 

 and verjr nearly the colors and marking of 

 a Sparrow — the lighter parts being simply 

 a little more yellowish — you would never 

 suspect her relation to such a gay consort. 

 He recognizes her at once, however, and 

 begins his ardent demonstrations. He 

 sings and waltzes to her, hovers in front 

 of her, fairly rending his throat in the 

 ardor of his musical performance ; and 

 when she in her coyness, real or feigned, 

 flees from him, he pursues her closely, and 

 they dash in and out of bushes, trees, and 

 fences with the most perilous speed. More 

 than once he slackens the chase for a few 

 minutes, alighting and throwing in a few 

 of his finest musical flourishes, and again 

 renews it as ardently as ever, till at length 

 he completely wins the object of his pas- 

 sion. Now they are seen together for a 

 short time, and then the modest female re- 

 tires among the clover and the taller 

 grasses of the luxuriant meadow, and, 

 scooping out a rather deep cavity in the 

 groiind, arranges a frail, loose nesl of dried 

 grasses, and lays her 5 eggs — averaging 

 about .90X.67, white tinged with brown, 

 spotted, blotched, and clouded with several 

 shades of brown, and also a neutral shade 

 of broAvnish-lilac. She adheres most close- 

 ly to her nest. In walking across the field 

 you may almost step on her before she will 

 leave her treasures. Then flying only a 

 few feet, she is instantly out of sight again ; 

 and unless you are a ready observer, or 

 have some knowledge of birds and nests, 

 you will be puzzled to know what you 

 have found. As the Bobolink raises but 

 one brood, and in the thick grass, some 

 time before the hay is cut, its nest is but 

 seldom seen by the farmer. 



During the whole period of incubation 

 the male is one of the happiest of birds. 



