COW BUNTING, 183 



part of the country also abounds with suitable food, such as they 

 usually subsist on. Many conjectures indeed might be formed 

 as to the probable cause; but all of them, that have occurred to 

 me, are unsatisfactory and inconsistent. Future, and more nu- 

 merous observations, made with care, particularly in those coun- 

 tries where they most usually pass the summer, may throw 

 more light on this matter; till then we can only rest satisfied 

 with the reality of the fact. 



This species winters regularly in the lower parts of North 

 and South Carolina, and Georgia; I have also met with them 

 near Williamsburg, and in several other parts of Virginia. In 

 January, 1809, 1 observed strings of them for sale in the mar- 

 ket of Charleston, South Carolina. They often frequent corn 

 and rice-fields in company with their cousins, as Mr. Bartram 

 calls them, the Red- winged Blackbirds; but are more common- 

 ly found accompanying the cattle, feeding on the seeds, worms, 

 &c. which they pick up amongst the fodder and from the ex- 

 crements of the cattle, which they scratch up for this purpose. 

 Hence they have pretty generally obtained the name of Cow- 

 pen birds, Cow-birds, or Cow Blackbirds. By the naturalists 

 of Europe they have hitherto been classed with the Finches; 

 though improperly, as they have no family resemblance to that 

 tribe sufficient to justify that arrangement. If we are to be di- 

 rected by the conformation of their bill, nostrils, tongue, and 

 claws, we cannot hesitate a moment in classing them with the 

 Red-winged Blackbirds, Oriolus Phceniceus; not, however, as 

 Orioles, but as Buntings, or some new intermediate genus; 

 the notes or dialect of the Cow Bunting and those of the Red- 

 wings, as well as some other peculiarities of voice and gesti- 

 culation, being strikingly similar. 



Respecting this extraordinary bird I have received communi- 

 cations from various quarters, all corroborative of the foregoing 

 particulars. Among these is a letter from Dr. Potter of Balti- 

 more, which, as it contains some new and interesting facts, and 

 several amusing incidents, illustrative of the character of the 

 bird, I shall with pleasure lay before the reader, apologizing to 



