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, soft notes and loud, all sung rapidly. It is as gay and bright
as the birds themselves, who flit about playfully as they sing. You will
feel like laughing as merrily as they sing when you hear it some day.
[Illustration: BOBOLINKS.]