DESCRIPTIVE LIST 219 



Genus Molothrus (Swains.) 

 203. Molothrus ater ater (Bodd). COWBIRD. 



Description. Male, glossy black, head and neck brown. Female, smaller, dusky brown. 

 Average measurements of 19 Raleigh specimens: L., 6.75-7.80; W., 3.75-4.40; T., 2AQ-3.15. 

 The smallest measurements are those of the smaller females, the largest those of the biggest 

 males. 



Range. In eastern United States, breeding on the Atlantic coast at least, mostly north of 

 North Carolina; south in winter to Mexico. 



Range in North Carolina. Whole State irregularly in the migrations, and in the eastern half 

 at least during the winter months. 



Fia. 171. COWBIRD. 



The Cowbird has been seldom recorded from the State of late years. At Raleigh 

 it used to be rather common in February and March, and for several years pre- 

 vious to 1889 passed through in enormous numbers, feeding in company with the 

 red-winged blackbirds in newly planted grain-fields. Since then few have been seen. 

 Cairns recorded it at Weaverville, Buncombe County, between February 12 and 

 May 12 in the spring, and August 18 to December 8 in the fall. Collett records it 

 from Andrews on April 7, 1902. Pearson shot one near Southport, Brunswick 

 County, August 14, 1909, and saw one at Parmele, Martin County, August 25, 

 1903. At Raleigh it has also been observed by C. S. Brimley occasionally in fall 

 and winter, the earliest date being September 4, and latest in spring, April 29. 



This bird lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. A list of over ninety-two 

 species of birds thus imposed upon is given by Captain Bendire in Life Histories 

 of North American Birds, pages 237-8. The egg is said to hatch before those of 

 the owner of the nest, and the young Cowbird, which grows very rapidly, often 

 smothers or crowds the other young birds out of the nest. 



Although it has not been detected breeding in this State, the late dates of May 

 12 in Buncombe County and April 29 in Wake County, combined with its August 

 records, make it probable that it may breed here occasionally. 



Genus Agelaius (Vieill.) 

 204. Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus (Linn.). RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD. 



Description. Adult male glossy black, wing-coverts scarlet with buffy edgings, male in 

 winter with the black feathers edged with lighter, more or less obscuring the black. Female 



