126 



There are three sub-families : Marsh Blackbirds, Orioles, and Crmv Blackbirds. 



Sub-family AgehrinoE. Marsh Blackbirds. These are gregarious, grammivorous spe 

 cies usually terrestrial and chiefly palustrine, not notable vocalists, building rude 

 not hanging nests, with four to six spotted or limned eggs. Feet strong for walk 

 ing or grasping swaying reeds ; wings pointed, as long or longer than the tail ; bil 

 conic, acute, shorter or little longer than head, sparrow-like in cowbird and bobo 

 link. 



I. DOLICHONYX. Swainson. Bobolinks. 



117. D. ORYZIVORUS. Sw. Called Bobolink in Northern States, Reed Bird 

 in Middle States, and Rice Bird in the South. The male is in spring black, with 

 buffy neck, the rump and shoulders ashy white, and the back streaked with black 

 buff and ashy. The female and fall male are dull yellow birds, resembling some 

 sparrows, but the acute tail feathers and large size readily distinguish them in any 

 plumage. " In its black livery, only worn for a short time, the bobolink is dispersed 

 over the meadows of the northern States to breed, and is a voluble, spirited song- 

 ster. After the midsummer change, the reed bird or rice bird throngs the marshes 

 in immense flocks with the blackbirds, has simply a chirping note, feeds on the 

 wild oats, becomes extremely fat, and is accounted a great delicacy." (Cones.) 



The bobolink is the pride of the prairie meadows of Northern Indiana, where it 

 is an abundant summer resident, arriving the last of April, and going south in its 

 plain brown traveling suit — Mr. and Mrs. and all the little Bob-o'-lincolns, now all 

 of the same color — in great flocks the last of August. Not common in Marion 

 county, although I have taken them as late as the last of June and am satisfied 

 they were breeding. For an account of the "inner life" of this American rival of 

 the English skylark, one has only to consult the sunny pages of Irving or the ex- 

 quisite tribute of John Burroughs in "Birds and Poets." Nor have the poets 

 missed him, even though the song sparrow and wood thrush, the water thrush and 

 humming-bird, and many a meek and lonely sparrow songster have slipped through 

 the finest meshes of the poet's net. 



Eobert of Lincolu is gaily drest, 



Wearing a bright black wedding-coat; 

 White are his shoulders and white his crest. 

 Hear him call in his merry note : 

 Bob-o'-link, Bob-o'-link, 

 Spink, spank, spink ; 

 Look what a nice new coat is mine. 

 Sure there never was a bird so fine. 

 Chee, chee, chee. 



Robert of Lincoln's Quaker wife, 



Pretty and quiet, with plain brown wings ; 

 Passing at home a patient life, 

 Broods in the grass while her husband sings : 

 Bob-o'-link, Bob-o'-link, 

 Spink, spank, spink ; 

 Brood, kind creature, you need not fear 

 Thieves and robbers while I am here. 



Chee, chee, chee. Bryant. 



MOLOTHRUS. Swainson. Coiv Birds. 



118. M. ATER. Gray. Male iridescent black; head and neck glossy brown 

 female much smaller, dusky brown; male L. 8; W. 4; T. 3. Abundant summer 



