_r^ 



the Cow BIoclC'Bird, 



419 



But the fact is, our cuckoos, thus 



latter clause he might have added, that among American 

 birds^ there is hardly a single species whose habits are less 

 generally known, except indeed by professed ornitholo- 

 gists, than those of this interesting bird. Its very existence 

 among us is unknown to most ; or if any are aware that 

 we have a bird that imposes upon its neighbors the task 

 of rearing its young, it is but too often confounded with 

 the European cuckoo. 

 unjustly involved in the obloquy attached to the conduct 

 of the European species, In the beautiful language of 

 Wilson, ' 



and rear their own young ; and in conjugal and parental 

 affection, are nowise behind any of their neighbors of 

 the grove. 



That the habits of this bird should have been thus 

 involved in obscurity, and should continue so, to the 

 present day, will not, perhaps, strike us with so much 

 astonishment, when we learn that such distincruished nat- 



?> 



an 



rom 



racies. Many of the errors and omissions of these justly 

 celebrated naturalists have been pointed out by Mr. Ord, 

 in the communication before alluded to. Several of his 

 positions I have it in my power to confirm, by actual 

 observation. There are, however, many, which he seems 

 to have adopted much too hastily ; which are not only 

 not supported, but have actually been confuted by estab* 

 lished facts. There are also some circumstances which 

 he appears to have overlooked altogether* To the con- 

 sideration of these, I would ask your attention a few 

 moments. 



In the first place, the Avriter of the above paper enu- 

 merates four positions assumed by others, but which he 

 pronounces untenable. Thev are. 



^ 



