SPECIES 4. EMBERIZA PECORIS, 



COW BUNTING.* 

 [Plate XVIII. Figs. 1, 2, & 3.] 



Le Brunet, BUFF, iv, 138. Le Pingon de Virginie, Buiss. in, 

 1 65. Cowpen-bird, CATESB. i, 34. LATH, n, 269. Jlrct. Zool. 

 n, p. 371, JVo. 241. Sturnus stercorarius, BARTRAM, p. 291. 

 PEALE'S Museum, 7Vo. 6378, male 6379,/ema/e.t 



THERE is one striking peculiarity in the works of the great 

 Creator, which becomes more amazing the more we reflect on it; 

 namely, that he has formed no species of animals so minute, or 

 obscure, that are not invested with certain powers and pecu- 

 liarities, both of outward conformation and internal faculties, 

 exactly suited to their pursuits, sufficient to distinguish them 

 from all others; and forming for them a character solely and ex- 

 clusively their own. This is particularly so among the feathered 

 race. If there be any case where these characteristic features 

 are not evident, it is owing to our want of observation; to our 

 little intercourse with that particular tribe; or to that contempt 

 for inferior animals and all their habitudes which is but too 



* The American Cuckoo ( Cuculus Carolinensis) is by many people called 

 the Cow-bird, from the sound of its notes resembling the words cow, cow. 

 This bird builds its own nest very artlessly in a cedar or an apple tree, and 

 lays four greenish blue eggs, which it hatches, and rears its young with great 

 tenderness. 



t Prince Musignano quotes the following Synonymes: Fringilla pecoris, 

 GMEL. LATH, female and young. Oriolus fuscus, GMEL. adult male. Orio- 

 lus minor, GMEL. species, JVo. 46, LATH, adult male. Sturnus obscurus, GMEL. 

 adult male. Sturnus junceti, LATH, adult male. Troupiale de la Caroline, 

 BUFF. PI. EnL 606, fig. 1, adult male. This figure is, no doubt, intended for 

 this bird, although the bill is incorrect Bias so n calls it Fringilla Virgl- 

 niana. VIEILLOT, Passerina pecoris. 

 VOL. II. Z 



