I08 SINGING BIRDS. 



about in the woods until, at length, they instinctively join com- 

 pany with those of the same feather, and now becoming more 

 bold, are seen in parties of 5 or 6, in the fields and lanes, 

 gleaning their accustomed subsistence. They still, however, 

 appear shy and watchful, and seem too selfish to study any- 

 thing more than their own security and advantage. 



The song of the Cowbird is guttural and unmusical, uttered 

 with an air of affectation, and accompanied by a bristling of 

 the feathers and a swelling of the body in the manner of the 

 Turkey. These are also all the notes of the species in the 

 season of their attachment ; so that their musical talent rates 

 lower than that of any other bird perhaps in the genus. Some- 

 times the tones of the male resemble the hquid clinking of the 

 Bobolink and Red-whiged Blackbird. Sitting on the summit 

 of a lofty branch, he amuses himself perhaps for an hour with 

 an occasional 'kluck 'tsee, the latter syllable uttered in a drawl- 

 ing hiss like that of the Red-wing. Accompanied by his mates, 

 he also endeavors to amuse them by his complaisant chatter ; 

 and watching attentively for their safety, they flit together at 

 the instant he utters the loud tone of alarm ; and they are 

 always shy and suspicious of the designs of every obsen^er. 

 On a fine spring morning, however, perched towards the sum- 

 mit of some tree in the forest where they seek rest after their 

 twilight wanderings, small and select parties may be seen grate- 

 fully basking in the mild beams of the sunshine. The male on 

 such occasions seems as proud of his uncouth jargon, and as 

 eager to please his favorite companions, as the tuneful Night- 

 ingale with his pathetic and v^aried lay. 



The Cowbird is a common summer resident of New England, 

 though of rather local distribution. Dr Wheaton reported it as 

 abundant in Ohio during the summer months, and Mr. Mcllwraith 

 made a similar report for Ontario. It is rather uncommon in the 

 Maritime Provinces, but ranges as far northward as the 50th par- 

 allel. In January, 1883, two specimens were taken near Cambridge, 

 Mass., by Mr. William Brewster and Mr. Henry M. Spellman, and 

 other evidences of occasional wintering in New England have been 

 reported. 



