Species IV. EMBERIZA PECORIS. 



COW BUNTING.* 



[Plate XVIII. Figs. 1, 2, and 3.] 



Le Brunei, Buff, iv., 138. — Le Pingon de Virgiiiie, Briss. hi., 165. — Cowpen-bird, 

 Catesb. I., 34. — Lath, ii., 269. — Arct. Zool. ii., p. 371, No. 241. — Stia-nus sterco- 

 rariiis, Bartram, p. 291. f 



There is one striking peculiarity in the works of the great Creator, 

 which becomes more amazing the more we reflect on it ; namely, that he 

 has formed no species of animals so minute, or obscure, that are not 

 invested with certain powers and peculiarities, both of outward con- 

 formation and internal faculties, exactly suited to their pursuits, suffi- 

 cient to distinguish them from all others ; and forming for them a 

 character solely and exclusively their own. This is particularly so 

 among the feathered race. If there be any case where these charac- 

 teristic features are not evident, it is owing to our want of observation ; 

 to our little intercourse with that particular tribe ; or to that contempt 

 for inferior animals and all their habitudes which is but too general, and 

 which bespeaks a morose, unfeeling and unreflecting mind. These pecu- 

 liarities are often surprising, always instructive where understood, and 

 (as in the subject of our present chapter) at least amusing, and worthy 

 of being farther investigated. 



The most remarkable trait in the character of this species is the 

 unaccountable practice it has of dropping its eggs into the nests of 

 other birds, instead of building and hatching for itself; and thus entirely 

 abandoning its progeny to the care and mercy of strangers. More than 

 two thousand years ago it was well known, in those countries where the 

 bird inhabits, that the Cuckoo of Europe [Cuculus canorus) never built 



* The American Cuckoo [Cuculus Carolinensis) is by many people called the 

 Cow-bird, from the sound of its notes resembling the words cow, cow. This bird 

 builds its own nest very artlessly in a cedar or an apple tree, and lays four 

 greenish blue eggs, which it hatches, and rears its young with great tenderness. 



t Prince Musignano quotes the following Synonymes : — FringiUa pecoris, Gmel. 

 Lath, female and young. — Oriohisfuscus, Gmel. adult male. — Oriolus minor, Gmel. 

 species, No. 46, Lath, adult male. — Sfnrnus obsrurus, Gmel. adult male. — Slurniis 

 junceti. Lath, adult male. — Troupiale de fa Caroline, Buff. PL Enl. 606, fig. 1, 

 adult male. This figure is, no doubt, intended for this bird, although the bill is 

 incorrect. — Brisson calls it Fringilla Virginiana ; Vieillot, Passerina pecoris. 



(71) 



