78 Bird Comrades 



their narrow quarters. I watched them at frequent 

 intervals, but saw no attempts on the part of the found- 

 lings to crowd out their fellow-nestlings. The cowbirds 

 were the first to leave the sylvan roof tree. Thus it 

 appears that the intrusion of the cowbird' s eggs does not 

 always mean disaster to the real offspring of the brooding 

 family, but of course it often prevents the laying of the 

 full complement of eggs by the builders themselves. 



Even after the youngsters have left the nest the 

 mother cowbird does not assume the care of them, but 

 still leaves them in charge of the foster parents. It is 

 laughable, almost pathetic, to see a tiny oven-bird or 

 redstart feeding a strapping young cowbird which is 

 several times as large as herself. She looks like a pigmy 

 feeding a giant. In order to thrust a tidbit into his 

 mouth she must often stand on her tiptoes. Why the 

 diminutive caterer does not see through the fraud I can 

 not say. She really seems to be attached to the hulking 

 youngster. By and by, however, when he grows large 

 enough to shift for himself, he deserts his little parents 

 and nurses and seeks companionship among his own 

 blood kindred, who doubtless bring him up in the way 

 all cowbirds should go. 



It is surprising how many species are imposed on 

 successfully by the cowbird. The number, so far as has 

 been observed, is ninety, with probably more to be added. 

 Among the birds most frequently victimized are the 

 phoebes, the song sparrows, the indigo birds, the bush 

 sparrows, and the yellow-breasted chats. Even the 



