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Wild Birds 



of its life, seems in every case to be acquired or learned rather 

 than inherited. 



The instinct of fear seems to be longer deferred in the Cow- 

 bird than in many other species. This was true of a bird which 

 was nursed by a Magnolia Warbler (see Figs. 133, 134), whose nest 



Fig- 135. Young Cowbird, being nursed by a Chipping Sparrow, whose own young 

 it had destroyed. 



it completely filled. Standing with erect feathers on the rim of 

 the nest, he would squeak and call vehemently for his foster 

 parents. I took from beneath him the dried mummy of a little 

 Warbler and one addled egg, which illustrates the advantage 

 nature gives this bird over his competitors in early life. He 

 showed no fear, but clung like a monkey to the nest, while I 

 carried the branch several hundred feet to find a quiet place out 



