BLACKBIRDS. ORIOLES 



(495) Molothrus ater ater 



(Bodd.) (Gr., vagabond or parasite; Lat., 

 black). 



COWBIRD; L,\ZY-BIRD. Ad. 

 cP — Plumage as shown by the upper 

 bird. Body glossy, greenish-black; 

 entire head and necic coffee-brown. 

 Ad. 9, and Im. — Grayish; dark 

 above and lighter below, shading to 

 whitish on the throat; the under 

 parts more or less conspicuously 

 strealved with dusky. L., 7.75; W., 

 4.50; T., 3.25; B., .70; Tar., i.oo. 

 Nesl — None. The eggs are de- 

 posited singl)' in nests of other species 

 of birds, usually those of smaller 

 size; white, evenly specked with cin- 

 namon-brown, .85 X .65. 



Range — Breeds from southern 

 Canada south to N. Car., La., and 

 Te.x. Winters in southern U. S. 



males have very pleasing, musical songs — a tinkling, 

 rippling, gurgling melody in which a repetition of his name 

 occurs frequently. This song is given frequently, either 

 from the tops of trees, bushes or weeds, or while soaring, on 

 fluttering wings, over the ineadow where his mate is making 

 or caring for their home. Their nests are rather difficult to 

 discover, for Bob warns his mate of your approach long be- 

 fore you are near, so she can either leave at once or be pre- 

 pared to sneak away through the grass. 



The Bobolink song ceases after the first of July, and the 

 males rapidly moult their handsome plumage and assume 

 brown suits similar to those of the females and young. 

 Their only notes now are musical, metallic "chinks." 

 They gather in flocks and soon start for southern states. 

 They collect in immense flocks about the marshes of Chesa- 

 peake Bay and are there commonly known as "ortolans" 

 or Reedbirds; they have become fattened by feeding on wild 

 rice and are killed by thousands for market, and are served 

 on toast in all restaurants. Farther south, along our 



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