Wayne: Bibds op South Carolina. 107 



May 22, 1900, five fresh eggs; and May 9, 1901, five slightly in- 

 cubated eggs. As this species has but one brood it is evident 

 that it breeds in May and not in March. The nest of the Fish 

 Crow closely resembles that of the former species except that it is 

 smaller and is placed in the tops of pines and sycamores from 

 forty to one hundred and fifty feet from the ground. 



About twenty-five years ago this species used to breed regu- 

 larly in St. Paul's churchyard, in the city of Charleston, where it 

 placed its nest in the topmost branches of a gigantic sycamore 

 tree fully one hundred and fifty feet from the ground, and it also 

 bred in later years in private yards along East Battery. 1 



The eggs of this species number four or five and are 

 similar to those of the previous species in coloration, but are 

 smaller, measuring 1.50X1-05. 



The food of the Fish Crow in spring, summer, and autumn 

 consists chiefly of fiddlers and other larger crabs, whereas in 

 winter it feeds upon shellfish and various berries. The notes of 

 this bird are entirely different from those of the American Crow, 

 being very hoarse, as if it were trying to clear its throat. No dis- 

 tinction is made between these birds by farmers and others who 

 have not studied ornithology. 



The Fish Crow breeds from Florida to southern Connecticut. 



FAMILY ICTERID^E: BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 



185. Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.). Bobolink; Ricebird. 



This well-known species is scarcely recognized here by the 

 name Bobolink: "Ricebird" and "May Bird" are the local names 

 bestowed upon it. 



The Ricebird is a transient visitant arriving in spring about 

 April 10, is abundant by the 16th, and remains in comparative 

 abundance until May 26, while a few belated individuals are to be 

 observed until June 5. The spring migration is performed chiefly 

 by night; whereas the autumnal flight, which takes place as 

 early as August 11, occurs during the day as well as at night. 

 During the month of September the migration is performed al- 

 most entirely by day. My latest autumn record is November 

 26, 1891, when I observed a single individual. 



This species is very destructive to the rice crop, not only when 



• Messrs. Burnham and Rhett Chamberlain report the Fish Crow as breeding on Broad 

 St., Charleston, in May, 1909.— Ed. 



