BOBOLINK, REEDBIRD, OR RICEBIRD 



Male — In spring and summer, breast, wings, under parts 

 and tail black ; back of head and neck cream-colored ; back and 

 rump ashy white. In fall and winter, "the male is like the 

 female and the young which are yellowish-brown above, with 

 pale streakings below. They arrive in May and leave the 

 North in September. Length, seven and one-half inches. 



Nest, made of grasses, on the ground, contains from four 

 to six greenish- white eggs, .85 x .60 inches. 



The Bobolink is a favorite bird with all and the special 

 delight of the poets. A school reader wbuld not seem com- 

 plete without a song or story about the Bobolink. He comes 

 out of South and Central America and the West Indies in 

 spring, full fledged, in his handsome livery with large numbers 

 of his male companions. The males precede the arrival of 

 their plain mates by about ten days, and appear to be looking 

 over the fields for suitable nesting places while they await the 

 coming of the other sex. 



The Bobolink is so vain of his appearance and manners 

 that he seems to rely upon them as much as upon his song to 

 win the affections of a mate. He poses and waltzes to the 

 music of his own song before the one that he has selected for 

 a wife, until she is charmed by his graces and attentions. 



The nest of loose grass is built on the ground,, usually in 

 some meadow. While the female is sitting, the male bird will 

 be seen near her upon a tree or fence where he pours out a joy- 

 ous song of many different notes, that charms the ear of every 

 listener. The singer appears to be overcharged with music 

 which he is making a great effort to let out. The song is so 



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