THE BIRDS OF WISCONSIN. 
87 
authenticity of the record; it is well remembered by our older 
ornithologists, and Dr. Peckham vouches for it himself. 
FAfllLY ICTERID>£: BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. 
Doliclionyx oryzivorus (Linn.). BOBOLINK. 
An abundant summer resident, arriving the first of May, 
and breeding in large numbers in all suitable places. One of 
the first of the summer visitors to leave us in the autumn, and 
all are often gone by the 20th of August, but in exceptional 
years it is common as late as that date in September, and has 
been taken even later. These tardy birds, however, appear to 
be migrants from farther north, and not the ones which nest 
with us. The first arrivals in spring are still partially in the 
winter plumage, and all have fully acquired this dress before 
again leaving in the fall. 
Molotlirus ater (Bodd.). COWBIRD. 
Unfortunately for many of the nesting birds, particularly 
vireos, warblers and native sparrows, the cowbird is a common 
summer resident, and well indeed must their nests be hidden if 
they are to be safe from the alien egg. The list of species 
imposed upon is a very long one, in fact no variety, unless it be 
much larger or of entirely different habits, seems to be exempt. 
It arrives early in April, and departs, usually, in August. The 
cowbird is, without question, increasing steadily in numbers. 
Xaiitlioceplialus xantlioeephalus (Bonap.). YELLOW-HEADED 
BLACKBIRD. 
A summer resident. In some sections of the state the 
yellow-head seems to be totally absent, while on certain lakes 
it breeds abundantly. The species is apparently becoming- 
more common in many localities where it was once almost 
unknown. 
Agelains plioeniceas (Linn.). RED- WINGED BLACKBIRD. 
A very abundant summer resident. One of the first birds 
to arrive in the spring, it remains until extreme cold weather — ■ 
a few even wintering in mild seasons — in southern Wisconsin. 
Nests in all low places, weaving the nest in the grass, placing it 
on a bog, bush or even in a low tree. It begins flocking from 
August 10 to 20, and at this time becomes very destructive to 
corn in the milk, entire fields being sometimes ruined when 
