108 
ROBERT OF LINCOLN. 
Bob-o'-link's strain is very characteristic. It consists of a kind of 
chime of short variable notes, repeated with so much rapidity and 
such apparent confusion, that to the uninstructed listener half-a-dozen 
different birds seem singing in different keys. It has been suggested 
that an idea of his song may be obtained by striking the high keys 
of a piano haphazard, singly and quickly, with as many sudden 
contrasts of high and low notes as possible. His volubility is said 
to border on the burlesque, but the general effect is very pleasing, 
and Robert of Lincoln is a decided favourite in the States as a 
cage-bird. Out of his varied accents have been shaped the syllables 
bob-o'-link, and these have been humorously accepted as the con- 
traction of the sonorous designation of " Robert of Lincoln." He 
builds his nest on the ground, generally among the thick high grass ; 
externally it is composed of coarse grass and dry leaves, woven 
together into a sufficiently stout texture, while the inside lining 
consists of fine stalks and fibres. 
" Robert of Lincoln is gaily drest, 
Wearing a bright black wedding-coat ; 
\Vliite 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 was never a bird so fine ! 
Chee, chee, chee." 
The bob-o'-link changes his coat according to the season. In 
the spring his plumage beams with many colours : black, on the 
upper part of the head, wings, tail, sides of the neck, and all the 
lower parts ; creamy white, on the back of the head ; black, varied 
with brownish yellow, on the back ; pure white, on the scapulars 
and tail-coverts ; bluish white, lower part of the beak, — the legs 
being of a brownish flesh tint, and the bill like bluish horn. In 
the month of June he gradually assimilates his garb to that of the 
female, which is marked by a brownish yellow on the upper and a 
dull yellow on the lower parts of the body ; and by the beginning of 
August the one can scarcely be distinguished from the other. 
