AMERICAN COW-BUNTING. 143 



fields and woodlands. In any case, the matter is 

 out of his hands ; and it is enough for us to know 

 that God has willed it so, and His will is both 

 wisdom and love. 



One of the most remarkable of American birds 

 which is possessed of this disposition, and which, 

 as we shall see, sometimes suffers punishment in 

 the loss of its offspring for it, is the American cow- 

 bunting. The actions of this bird are described in 

 the following terms by Audubon. " When the 

 female is about to deposit her eggs, she is observed 

 to leave her companions, and perch upon a tree or 

 fence, assuming an appearance of uneasiness. Her 

 object is to observe other birds while engaged in 

 constructing their nests. Should she not from 

 this position discover a nest, she moves off and 

 flies from tree to tree, until at length, having found 

 a suitable repository for her egg, she waits for a 

 proper opportunity, drops it, flies off, and returns 

 exultingly to her companions. This bird does not 

 make a forcible entrance, but watches its oppor- 

 tunity, and, when it finds the nest deserted by its 

 guardians, slips to it like one bent on the accom- 

 plishment of some discreditable project. 



The yellow-poll warbler resorts to a most 



