CONSPICUOUSLY BLACK AND WHITE 391 



Geographical Distribution: Generally throughout North America, and 



seems to be gradually reaching the Pacific coast, migrating to the 



West Indies and the valley of the Amazoni 

 Breeding Mange : In Transition zone in open prairies locally, throughout 



its habitat. 

 Breeding Season: May 15 to July 1. 

 Nest ; Of dried weeds and grasses ; hidden on the ground among tall 



grasses or concealed in a depression. 

 Eggs : 5 to 7 ; dull or grayish white to reddish brown, irregularly spotted 



and blotched with browns and purples. Size 0.85 X 0.64. 



Although at present only a rare fall visitant in Cali- 

 fornia, there are evidences that the Bobolink of the East 

 is moving westward with the great tide of civilization/ 

 and gradually forsaking the Atlantic coast to become a 

 permanent resident of the Pacific States. There is no 

 other bird quite like him or that can take his place in 

 the heart of one who has heard his tinkling banjo-like 

 song in the meadows east of the Mississippi, — 



" The rollicking, jubilant whistle, 

 That flows like a brooklet along." 



While his demure brown sweetheart listens in the long 

 meadow grass, Robert of Lincoln flies upward on quiver- 

 ing wings, exploding with melody, and the higher he 

 flies the more joyously he sings. It is a rhapsody on 

 the glory of the June morning and the joy of loving. 



His nest is securely hidden in the tangle of clover or 

 wild grass, often placed in the hollow made by a cow's 

 foot, sometimes woven among the clover stems and al- 

 most impossible to find. The mother bird broods alone 

 for thirteen days, while Robert frolics gayly over the fields 

 with others of his sex, always within call, but seldom or 

 never feeding her. When the young are hatched, how- 



