probing
the ground now this side, now that, as it walks
rapidly over our lawns. The short tail and long
wings are most noticeable in the air and
distinguish the Starling from our other black
birds.

A long-drawn whistle, such as one calls to a dog, is the Starling's most
common note, but it has many others. It nests in April, often after
quarreling with Flickers for possession of a nest-hole in which to lay
its pale bluish eggs. The young appear in mid-May and their harsh,
rasping food-call is a common note for several weeks; then the birds
begin to gather in companies which, later, form flocks of thousands.

BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, ETC. FAMILY ICTERIDAE

BOBOLINK

_Dolichonyx oryzivorus. Case 7, Figs. 13, 14_

In July, after nesting, the male molts into a
plumage resembling that of the female, when both
are known as Reedbird. L 7-1/4.

_Range._ Nests from northern New Jersey and
northern Missouri to southern Canada and westward
to British Columbia; leaves the United States
through Florida and winters chiefly in
northwestern Argentina; returns to United States
early in April.

Washington, T.V., common in spring, abundant in
fall; Apl. 26-May 30; July 23-Nov. 14. Ossining,
tolerably common S.R., May 1-Oct. 5. Cambridge,
very common S.R., May 8-Sept. 10. N. Ohio, common
S.R., Apl. 10-Oct. 10. Glen Ellyn, S.R., Apl.
27-Oct. 9. SE. Minn., common S.R., Mch. 5-Aug. 27.

A bird with a dual personality; welcome minstrel of the meadows when
nesting, dread scourge of the rice-fields when traveling. With the loss
of his trim suit of black, white, and buff, Bob loses also his merry
tinkling, rippling song, and acquires with his streaked Reedbird suit a
single watchword. _Tink, tink_ he calls from somewhere overhead, and
_tink, tink_ his comrades answer as they follow a trackless path through
the sky on their 5000-mile journey.

The nest is placed on the ground and 4-7 grayish, blotched eggs are laid
late in May or early in June.

COWBIRD

_Molothrus ater ater. Case 5, Figs. 8, 9_

The male's brown head distinguishes him from other
Blackbirds; the female wears a dull gray garb well
designed to make her inconspicuous. L. 8.

_Range._ North America; nesting from North