MOLOTHRUS BONARIENSIS. 79 



Perhaps the rarest variety is an egg entirely of a fine deep red ; but 

 between this lovely marbled egg and the white one with almost imper- 

 ceptible specks, there are varieties without number ; for there is no such 

 thing as characteristic markings in the eggs of this species, although, 

 as I have said before, the eggs of the same individual show a family 

 resemblance. 



Habits of the young M. bonariensis. 



Small birds of all species, when first hatched, closely resemble each 

 other ; after they are fledged the resemblance is less, but still compara- 

 tively great ; grey, interspersed with brown, is the colour of most of 

 them, or at least of the upper exposed plumage. There is also a great 

 similarity in their cries of hunger and fear shrill, querulous, prolonged, 

 and usually tremulous notes. It is not, then, to be wondered at that 

 the foster-parents of the young Molothrus so readily respond to its 

 cries, understanding the various expressions denoting hunger, fear, pain, 

 as well as when uttered by their own offspring. But the young Molo- 

 thrus never understands the language of its foster-parents as other 

 young birds understand the language of their real parents, rising to 

 receive food when summoned, and concealing themselves or trying to 

 escape when the warning note is given. How does the young Molothrus 

 learn to distinguish, even by sight, its foster-parent from any other bird 

 approaching the nest ? It generally manifests no fear even at a large 

 object. On thrusting my fingers into any nest, I find the young birds, 

 if still blind or but recently hatched, will hold up and open their mouths 

 expecting food ; but in a very few days they learn to distinguish be- 

 tween their parents and other objects approaching them, and to show 

 alarm even when not warned of danger. Consider the different 

 behaviour of three species that seldom or never warn their offspring of 

 danger. The young of Synallaxis spixi, though in a deep domed nest, 

 will throw itself to the ground, attempting thus to make its escape. 

 The young of Mimus patagonicus sits close and motionless, with closed 

 eyes, mimicking death. The young of our common Zenaida, even 

 before it is fledged, will swell itself up and strike angrily at the intruder 

 with beak and wings ; and, by making so brave a show of its inefficient 

 weapons, it probably often saves itself from destruction. But any thing 

 approaching the young Molothrus is welcomed with fluttering wings and 

 clamorous cries, as if all creatures were expected to minister to its 

 necessities. 



December 24. To-day I found a young Molothrus in the nest of 

 Spermophila ccerulescens ; he cried for food on seeing my hand approach 

 the nest ; I took him out and dropped him down, when, finding himself 



