OUR FRIENDS, THE BIRDS. 113 
Bobolink. Kingbird. 
Cowbird. Oriole. 
Catbird. Thrush. 
Humming Bird. Veery. 
“Does the Bobolink really travel in the night?” 
quickly asked “Querist.” 
“Yes,” replied Miss Sweet. “John Burroughs 
says he has awakened in the middle of the night and 
heard their faint notes .as they were passing over the 
city of Washington on their return from the north.” 
“T used to hear him often in Massachusetts,” said 
Laura, “but I seldom hear him here. We children 
used to call him the ‘jolly rover,’ because he never 
seemed to be quiet, and his song had a rollicking sound, 
as though he was full of fun. I have often heard him 
just after sunrise, and, indeed, at all hours of the day, 
for he seems to like to sing when folks are around to 
hear him.” 
“He is a beautiful bird in spring and summer,” 
said “Artist.” “It seems strange that he should 
lose his pretty coat in autumn. I have seen him hover- 
ing over the nest wheré his mate was sitting, and sing 
as though he could not express his joy. He was like 
a beautiful vision of happiness. I have often found 
his nest on the ground, in the meadow at my grand- 
father’s, and have watched him for hours.” 
“We didn’t use to think much of him in the 
south,” remarked a girl who had only recently come 
north to live. ‘‘ Everybody thought he was a great 
