The Bobolink 



95 



the task of helping the female provide for the hungry, 

 clamoring little family, and an arduous task it is, 

 for even after the young leave the nest the parents 

 provide food for them until they are able to find it 

 for themselves. During this period the gaudy coat of 

 the male bobolink disappears — it is moulting time — 

 and the vsrhole family is of the same sober color; 

 the song also is given up along with the coat, and the 

 only note heard is the call note, a metallic chink. 



About the first of August most of the young bobo- 

 links are on the wing, practicing for their long journey; 

 the old and young become more clannish each day 

 as they move slowly southward along the river courses, 

 where the smaller flocks unite, making a vast army, 

 which moves slowly toward the rice fields. The 

 bobolinks now become fat and thousands of them 

 are shot and sold in the markets. Their flesh is said 

 to be very delicate. 



It is toward the latter part of August they reach 

 the rice fields, and for about six weeks there is no 

 rest for the rice growers. The birds swarm upon 

 the fields by millions — a scourge worse than a plague 

 of locusts. The loss caused by the bobolinks in the 

 rice fields of the South must amoimt anually to over 

 two million dollars. A greater part of this loss is 

 incurred directly by the maintaining of " bird-minders," 



