48 BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 



BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. FAMILY 

 ICTERIDiE 



\ BOBOLINK 

 Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Case 7, Figs. 13, 14 



In July, after nesting, the male molts into a plumage resembling 

 that of the female, when both are known as Reedbird. L 7$. 



Range. Nests from northern New Jersey and northern Mis- 

 souri to southern Canada and westward to British Columbia; 

 leaves the United States through Florida and winters chiefly in 

 northwestern Argentina; returns to United States early in 

 April. 



Washington, T. V., common in spring, abundant in fall; Apl. 

 26-May 30; July 23-Nov. 14. Ossining, tolerably common 

 S. R., May i-Oct. 5. Cambridge, very common S. R., May 8- 

 Sept. 10. N. Ohio, common S. R., Apl. 16-Oct. 10. Glen 

 Ellyn, S. R., Apl. 27-Oct. 9. SE. Minn., common S. R., Mch. 5- 

 Aug. 27. | 



I A bird with a dual personality; welcome minstrel of 

 the meadows when nesting, dread scourge of the rice- 

 fields when traveling. With the loss of his trim suit of 

 black, white, and buff, Bob loses also his merry tinkling, 

 rippling song, and acquires with his streaked Reedbird 

 suit a single watchword. Tink, tink he calls from some- 

 where overhead, and tink, tink his comrades answer as they 

 follow a trackless path through the sky on their 5000-mile 

 journey. 



The nest is placed on the ground and 4-7 grayish, 

 blotched eggs are laid late in May or early in June. 



\COWBIRD 

 Mololhrus ater ater. Case 5, Figs. 8, 9 



The male's brown head distinguishes him from other Black- 

 birds; the female wears a dull gray garb well designed to make 

 her inconspicuous. L. 8. 



Range. North America; nesting from North Carolina an J 

 Louisiana to Canada; winters from Virginia and Ohio southward. 



Washington, rather rare P. R., common T. V. Ossining, com- 



