BIRDS OF NEW YORK 223 



Haunts and habits. The spring migration is accompHshed between 

 the 29th of April and the loth of May. Sometimes he is not noted before 

 the 15th or 20th in the northern portions of the State. In the fall they 

 disappear between the loth and the 30th of September, but are occasionally 

 found as late as the 5th of October; at least, they have been heard 

 migrating at night as late as the ist and 5th of October. This species 

 must be regarded as a common summer resident of the State in all the 

 grasslands, but late plowing and early mowing have reduced its members 

 considerably in recent years. 



All country people know the Bobolink and nearly all the American 

 poets have celebrated him in song. There certainly is something very 

 entertaining in the abandonment, ecstacy and irrepressible merriment 

 of the Bobolink's melody as he sits in the blossoming apple tree or swaying 

 on a tall spear of grass pouring forth his soul to his mate hidden in the 

 meadow, or to the soul of summer. Frequently he is too much overcome 

 with his feelings to remain in the apple tree and soars about over the 

 meadows with quivering wings and gurgling roundelay. If his mate chances 

 to appear he gives chase and pursues until she darts among the thick 

 grasses to resume her duties of housekeeping. 



The bobolinks, even in the nesting season, are somewhat sociable 

 in habits and several males are sometimes found both in the migration 

 season and in the nesting period seated in the same tree trying to drown 

 each other's voices in song, and sometimes several at the same time may 

 be seen in the air circling and singing over the same meadow or swamp- 

 land. Besides the gurgling, bubbling melody of the Bobolink he has 

 a call note, a clear metallic " chi^ik," which he utters in migration, evidently 

 to tell his associates where he is flying, and over the meadows as a sign 

 of alarm or as a call to his companions. There is something peculiarly 

 characteristic about this clear " chink " which makes it unmistakable 

 even when heard at night as the birds are migrating at a great distance 

 above the ground. 



The nest of the Bobolink is hidden under the thick grass of meadows 



