A Feathered Parasite 75 



migrate to southern Mexico, although a considerable 

 number remain in our southern states, and a few occasion- 

 ally tarry for the winter even as far north as New England 

 and southern Michigan. 



The male cowbird looks like a well-dressed gentleman 

 and may have even a slightly clerical air in his closely 

 fitting suit of glossy black, with its greenish and purplish 

 iridescence, and his hood of rich metallic brown covering 

 his head, neck, and chest. He makes a poor shift as a 

 musician, but his failure is not due to lack of effort, for 

 during courtship days he does his level best to sing a 

 variety of tunes, expanding and distorting his throat, 

 fluffing up his feathers, spreading out his wings and tail, 

 his purpose evidently being to make himself as fascinating 

 as possible in the eyes of his lady love. One of his calls 

 sounds like "spreele," piped in so piercing a key that it 

 seems almost to perforate your brain. 



One observer maintains that the cowbirds are not 

 only parasitical in their habits, but are also absolutely 

 devoid of conjugal affection, practicing polyandry, and 

 seldom even mating. This is a serious charge, but it is 

 doubtless true, for even during the season of courtship 

 and breeding these birds live in flocks of six to twelve, 

 the males almost always outnumbering the females. 

 However, if their family relations are somewhat irregular, 

 no one can accuse them of engaging in brawls, as so many 

 other birds do, for both males and females seem to be on 

 the most amicable terms with one another, and are, to all 

 appearances, entirely free from jealousy. Who has ever 



