DOMESTIC LIFE OF THE BIRDS 



among cattle, where it captures many insects dis- 

 turbed into activity by the movements of the brows- 

 ing animals. 



The Cowbird lays its eggs in the nests of various 

 other birds, distributing them about the neighbour- 

 hood. Here they are left to be hatched and the 

 young to be reared by the foster parents. Cow- 

 bird's eggs have been found in the nests of nearly 

 one hundred species of birds, and nearly always the 

 nest of some smaller bird is chosen. Despite this 

 fact the Cowbird's eggs are often first to hatch. 

 The young grow rapidly and, being strong and ag- 

 gressive, not only secure the lion's share of the 

 food, but frequently crowd the young of the right- 

 ful owner out of the nest to perish on the ground 

 beneath. 



As soon as the young leave the nest the greedy 

 Cowbird follows the little mother about the thickets, 

 shouting loudly for food. Its fierce clamour drowns 

 the weaker cries of the legitimate young, which I 

 have reason to believe even then often die for lack 

 [57] 



