BLACK OR IRIDESCENT BLACK 41] 
495. COWBIRD. — Molothrus ater. 
Famity: The Blackbirds, Orioles, ete. 
Length: Male 7.75-8.25 ; female 7.25-7.75. 
Adult Male: Head, neck, and chest uniform brownish ; rest of plumage 
glossy black, with a greenish reflection, changing to purplish on back. 
Adult Female: Plumage plain brownish gray, darker on upper parts, 
paler on chin and throat. 
Young: Upper parts dull brownish gray, feathers bordered with pale 
buffy ; under parts dull light buffy, broadly streaked with grayish 
brown. 
Geographical Distribution: United States and more southern British 
Provinces ; south in winter to Southern Mexico. Irregular winter 
visitant in California. 
Eggs: 8 to 12. Deposited in nests of other birds ; whitish, whole sur- 
face covered with brown specks and blotches, usually heaviest at the 
larger end. Size 0.88 X 0.64. 
AmonG the great herds on the plains of the Middle 
West Cowbirds are found in great abundance. Perched 
on the backs of cattle, they search industriously for 
insects, and in the waterless regions may prove a great 
blessing to the poor creatures tormented with heat 
and flies. If so, it is the one thing to be said in com- 
mendation of a bird universally despised. Unmusical, 
its only note is a screeching call. It is the sneak of the 
feathered world and hated by all the rest. Too lazy to 
build for herself, the female lays her eggs in the most 
convenient nest whose owners happen to be away. Her 
ugly nestling is larger and grows faster than his adoptive 
brothers, and soon succeeds either in hoisting them out 
of the nest, smothering them in it, or starving them by 
seizing all the food in spite of the parents’ efforts to 
divide evenly. For every Cowbird reared a brood of 
