246 BIRDS OF THE NEW YORK CITY REGION 



COWBIRD (Molothrus ater) 



The parasitic habits of the Cowbird make it one of our 

 least liked and most unattractive birds. The brief sketch in 

 Chapman's Handbook is a brilliant expression of this bird's 

 characteristics and the feelings aroused in the student. It is 

 conspicuous for a short time in spring only. Later in the 

 summer small wandering flocks are occasionally encountered. 

 In the fall Cowbirds roost with the Redwings and Crackles 

 in our larger marshes, but their numbers are relatively in- 

 conspicuous, and they are easily overlooked. On rare occa- 

 sions very large flocks are seen roaming through some field or 

 roadside pasture. Unless, therefore, one goes to just the 

 right places, it is possible to be in the field an entire fall with- 

 out recording this species. Nevertheless it must be called a 

 common summer resident throughout the area, arriving about 

 the middle of March, remaining until November, or occasion- 

 ally in some numbers until Christmas. It is rarely recorded 

 in midwinter. 



Long Island. Common summer resident, rare in midwinter. 

 (February 27) March 10 to December 28. 



ORIENT. Common summer resident, frequently seen in 

 winter; February 22, 1914 (Mrs. Frank D. Smith) to November 

 22, 1920. 



MASTIC. Fairly common summer resident, occasionally 

 lingering in the fall to December 28, 1919. 



LONG BEACH. Found breeding by Bicknell in 1921, who 

 also has July records for two other years. It is consequently of 

 great interest that there are only three May records (Bicknell) 

 and none earlier. Rare transient in the fall. October 1, 1918 

 (Bicknell) to October 29, 1911 (Griscom); flock seen January 

 1, 1892 (L. S. Foster and A. H. Howell). 



New York State. A common summer resident in the country 

 districts, but uncommon and decreasing near the city. I know of no 

 midwinter records. 



CENTRAL PARK. Rare visitor on migration, ten records in 

 the last twenty-one years; April 14, 1901 (Chubb) to May 

 15, 1913 (Griscom); October 6, 1911 (Hix) to November 9, 

 1907 (Griscom). 



