610 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts } and Letters. 
494. Bobolink. 
Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.). 
This beautiful songster was frequently seen and heard about 
the meadow lands and prairie. The plain brown dress of the 
female contrasts so strongly with the brilliant attire of the male 
that, for one not acquainted with the Bobolink, it is hard to- 
believe they are the same species. 
One pair of birds was watched at differnet times, but the 
whereabouts of their carefully hidden nest was never revealed. 
495. Cowbird. 
Molothrus ater (Bodd.). 
The Clowbird was found in large numbers. Flocks were often 
seen about cattle or horses and some of the birds were invariably 
perched on the backs of the animals ; both parties, apparently, 
being contented with the arrangement. 
The Cowbird builds no nest but lays its eggs in other birds’ 
nests. Eggs of this tramp were found in nests of the Vireo 
and some of the Sparrows. One or two eggs- are found in a 
nest. Two eggs, found in a nest with three pretty eggs of the 
Vireo, looked very much out of place. 
After the breeding season, the Chwbirds were seen in large 
flocks feeding in the fields and on the prairie. 
497. Yellow-Headed BIlackbird. 
Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus (Bo-nap.). 
This handsome bird, although not as common as the next spe¬ 
cies, the Red-wing, was found in considerable numbers. The 
small grassrgrown sloughs do- not seem to suit the tastes of the 
Yellow-head and he is not commonly found here where the Red¬ 
wing is always present. He seems to prefer the large sloughs, 
especially those which have tall reeds or cat-tail rushes growing in 
them, and the lakes which are bordered with a growth of rushes. 
In such places the male in his gaudy attire of bright yellow and 
black may be seen, balanced on a swaying reed and uttering, at 
intervals, his harsh, grating note. The female, more modestly 
