Birds of Canada. 63 
spots of dark brown. This bird feeds on insects 
and seeds. Early in September, they collect in 
large flocks, and move southward. 
Molothrus pecoris—The Cow Bird. 
The Cow Bird is eight inches long. The 
breast, neck, and lower half of the breast, light 
brown; the rest of the body, bright black. 
During the summer, this bird frequents pasture 
fields, where cattle are grazing. It builds no 
nest ; but secretly deposits its eggs in the nests 
of other birds; usually in the nest of a Sparrow 
or Blue Bird. It lays but one egg in each nest, 
of a light grayish-blue, with brown spots. The 
Cow Bird feeds on insects principally. About 
the last of October, they collect in large flocks, 
and leave for the south. 
A gelaius phaniceus—The Red-winged 
Black Bird. 
This bird arrives here in small flocks about the 
last of March. General color, lustrous black ; 
the shoulders, vermillion or bright crimson. 
Nests, in a low bush in a swamp or meadow; 
eggs, fourjin number, of a light blue color, 
marked with brown spots. About the twentieth 
of October the Red-winged Black Birds collect 
in large flocks, and leave for their southern home. 
Their food consists of the seeds of aquatic grasses 
and grain, of which they are extremely fond, to 
the injury of the farmer. 
