he keys of a pianoforte haphazard, the
higher and the lower singly very quickly, you might have some idea of
the Bobolink's notes. In the month of June he gradually changes his
pretty, attractive dress and puts on one very like the females, which is
of a plain rusty brown, and is not reassumed until the next season of
nesting. The two parent birds in the plate represent the change from the
dark plumage in which the bird is commonly known in the North as the
Bobolink, to the dress of yellowish brown by which it is known
throughout the South as the Rice or Reed Bird.

His nest, small and a plain one, too, is built on the ground by his
industrious little wife. The inside is warmly lined with soft fibers of
whatever may be nearest at hand. Five pretty white eggs, spotted all
over with brown are laid, and as soon

"As the little ones chip the shell
And five wide mouths are ready for food,
'Robert of Lincoln' bestirs him well,
Gathering seeds for this hungry brood."

BOBOLINK.

Other birds may like to travel alone, but when jolly Mr. Bobolink and
his quiet little wife come from the South, where they have spent the
winter, they come with a large party of friends. When South, they eat so
much rice that the people call them Rice Birds. When they come North,
they enjoy eating wheat, barley, oats and insects.

Mr. and Mrs. Bobolink build their simple little nest of grasses in some
field. It is hard to find on the ground, for it looks just like dry
grass. Mrs. Bobolink wears a dull dress, so she cannot be seen when she
is sitting on the precious eggs. She does not sing a note while caring
for the eggs. Why do you think that is?

Mr. Bob-Linkum does not wear a sober dress, as you can see by his
picture. He does not need to be hidden. He is just as jolly as he
looks. Shall I tell you how he amuses his mate while she is sitting?
He springs from the dew-wet grass with a sound like peals of merry
laughter. He frolics from reed to post, singing as if his little heart
would burst with joy.

Don't you think Mr. and Mrs. Bobolink look happy in the picture? They
have raised their family of five. Four of their children have gone to
look for food; one of them--he must surely be the baby--would rather
stay with his mamma and papa. Which one does he look like?

Many birds are quiet at noon and in the afternoon. A flock of Bobolinks
can be heard singing almost all day long. The song is full of high notes
and low