BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 283 



light, blue, thinly spotted with dusky. In August the young 

 are ready to associate in flocks, and this is the time when they 

 are found in such countless numbers, feeding upon the corn. 

 Those who make war upon them, resemble the traveller, who, 

 annoyed by the chirping of grasshoppers, alighted from his 

 horse to put them all to death. When fired upon, they only 

 remove from one part of the field to another ; and as for scare- 

 crows, they seem to be rather entertained by such exhibitions 

 of human skill. 



The Cow BLACKBIRD, Icterus pecoris, is never numerous, like 

 the former, and is so much less inclined to the corn-field than 

 to the insects which are found in it, that it cannot be regarded 

 as an enemy of man. But it is generally detested for other 

 good and sufficient reasons, that is, if we suppose the bird to 

 be a moral agent, and fully acquainted with the enormity of its 

 own proceedings. Inclined to perpetual roving, and having a 

 strong aversion to all domestic cares, the cow-bird contrives to 

 escape them by laying its eggs in the nests of other birds, 

 making them foundling hospitals for its own young. When 

 the owner of the nest returns, for the cow-bird takes advantage 

 of its absence, and when it finds the stranger in its premises, it 

 manifests much uneasiness and agitation. Sometimes it throws 

 it out, but as small birds are the victims on those occasions, it 

 often has not strength for the effort. If that is the case, it 

 sometimes covers up the egg by making a new floor to the 

 nest. If unable to do either, it submits patiently to the impo- 

 sition. The cow-bird's egg is always hatched first, and the 

 young cow-bird sometimes stifles the lawful heirs by its supe- 

 rior size. The parent bird however, feeds it, and treats it with 

 more kindness than could be expected under the circumstan- 

 ces ; and the foundling, as if aware of his obligation, conducts 

 with decency and respect, making various ineffectual efforts to 

 strike a tune, in acknowledgment of the kindness of its bene- 

 factor. 



These birds are named from their habit of following cattle, 



