HABITS OF THE COW BIRD. 



327 



parties, generally accompanied by the red-winged starling, which bird will soon be described. 

 Towards the middle or end of October, the Cow Bii'ds begin to leave the place of their tem- 

 porary residence, and again assembling in flocks, together with the red-winged starling, take 

 their departui'e for their winter quarters in Carolina and Georgia. While remaining in the 

 country, they are generally seen near streams, perched on the trees that skirt rivers and creeks. 

 It is a i-ather curious fact that during the months of July and August, the Cow Troopials sud- 

 denly vanish, and are not seen again till September, when they make their appearance in con- 

 siderable numbers. ^Vhether they take a journey during that time, or whether retire into the 

 depths of the forest, is not clearly ascertained. 



Unlike the generality of birds, the Cow- Bird seems to be actuated by no attachment to 

 those of the oj)posite sex. No pairing has yet been observed, nor does the male bird take pos- 

 session of a number of females, as is the case with many species. Indeed, there would be no 

 need for such an alliance, for the female Cow Bird makes no nest, neither does she trouble 





(i.-/r'" 



^"f y. 





' v.^,> 



cow TROOPIAL.— J/o/o*r!/s jxcoru. 



herself about rearing her young, but searching out for the nest of some little bird, she deposits 

 her own egg among the number, and then leaves it to its fate. The remarkable feature in the 

 matter is, that the poor bird on whom this intruder has been foisted invariably takes charge 

 of it in preference to its o^vn offspring, and \xi\\ always rear the young Cow Bird, even though 

 the whole of its own offspring perish. 



There seems to be in the Cow Bird an irresistible attractive power, forcing other birds to 

 take charge of it and attend to its wants. This supposition is strengthened by the conduct of 

 a cardinal grosbeak, kejjt by Wilson, into whose cage was introduced a young C-ow Bird just 

 taken out of the nest of a Maryland yellow throat. At first, the gi-osbeak examined the 

 intruder with some reserve, but as soon as the stranger began to cry for food, the grosbeak took it 

 under its protection, tended it carefully, brought it food, tore large insects to pieces in order to 

 suit the capacity of the young bird's mouth, cleaned its plumage, taught it to feed itself, and 

 exhibited towards it all a mother's care. Wilson writes as foUows, after describing the singular 

 habits of this bird : — 



" From twelve to fourteen days is the usual time of incubation with our small birds ; but, 

 although I cannot fix the precise period requisite for the Cow Bunting's eggs, I think I can 

 almost positively say that it it is a day or two less than the shortest of the above-mentioned 



