65 THE WEST VIRGINIA 
99. BOBOLINK. 
Dolichonyx oryzivorus (Linn.) 
Transient visitant; common. May breed in the higher 
portions of the State. JI observed these birds wending their 
way south on the morning of September 5. In the north their 
food consists of seeds of various grasses and weeds, grubs, 
beetles, grasshoopers, and crickets. Stomachs of specimens 
secured contained seeds of foxtail grass, 
100. COW BIRD. 
Molothrus ater. 
Summer resident; common, frequenting cultivated districts, 
particularly about meadows and rivers. It is known along the 
Great Kanawha as Salt Bird. This species does not build a 
nest but lays its eggs in other birds’ nests. Dr. Coues in his 
Birds of the Northwest gives an interesting pen-sketch of this 
species. He says: “It is interesting to observe the female 
Cowbird ready to lay. She becomes disquieted; she be- 
trays unwonted excitement, and ceases her busy search for 
food with her companions. At length she separates from 
the flock, and sallies forth to reconnoitre, anxiously indeed, 
for her case is urgent, and she has no home. How ob- 
trusive is the “sad “analogy. She flies to some thicket or 
hedge-row, or other common resort of birds, where something 
teaches her—perhaps éxperience—nests will be found. Stealth- 
ily and in perfect silence she flits along, peering furtively, alter- 
nately elated or dejected, into the depth of the foliage. She 
espies a nest, but the owner’s head peeps over the brim, and 
she must pass on Now, however, comes her chance; there is 
the very nest she wishes, and no one athome. She disappears 
for a few minutes, and it 1s almost another bird that comes out 
of the bush. Her business done, and trouble over, she chuckles 
her self-gratulations, rustles her plumage to adjust it trimly, and ° 
flies back to her associates. They know what has happened, 
but are discreet enough to say nothing*~charity is often no less 
wise than kind.” Stomachs of specimens secured contained 
timothy and clover seeds. 
