354 BIRDS — ICTEKID^ 



cently greatly increased in numbers. Found everywhere, and notorious 

 as the only Ohio bird which builds no nest, but lays its eggs in the nest 

 of other birds, by whom they are hatched, and the young cared for. In 

 selecting a nest in which to deposit her eggs, the female is not particu- 

 lar ; the nest of almost any tree- ground- or bush-nesting bird will 

 answer, whether it be that of a Vireo, Gnatcatcher, or Cardinal Gros- 

 beak. I have never known them placed in the nest of any Swallow, 

 Wren, Woodpecker, Nuthatch, or Titmouse (except the Tufted Titmouse). 

 From the fact that their eggs are sometimes found on the ground, or even 

 in the bed of small brooks, it is probable that they are not always able to 

 find a nest in time to meet an emergency. 



Dr. Coues gives a very full and interesting account of the bird and its 

 habits, in his " Birds of the Northwest," from which I extract the fol- 

 lowing paragraphs : 



" It is interesting to observe the female Cow-bird ready to lay. She becomes disquieted ; 

 she betrays unwonted excitement, and ceases her busy search for food with her com- 

 panions. At length she separates from the flock, and sallies forth to reconnoitre, anx- 

 iously indeed, for her case is urgent, and she has no home. How obstrusive is the sad 

 analogy ! She flies to some thicket, or hedge-row, or other common resort of birds, 

 where, something teaches her — perhaps experience — nests will be found. Stealthily and 

 in perfect silence she flits along, peering furtively, alternately elated or dejected, into 

 the depths of the foliage. She espies a nest, but the owner's head peeps over the brim, 

 and she must pass on. Now, however, comes her chance ; there is the very nest she 

 wishes, and no one at home. She disappears for a few minutes, and it is almost another 

 bird that comes out of the bush. Her business done, and trouble over, she chuckles her 

 self gratulations, rustles her plumage to adjust it trimly, and flies back to her asso- 

 ciates. They know what has happened, but are discreet enough to say nothing — charity 

 is often no less wise than kind. 



"Polygamy is rare among higher birds; in no creatures are the parental and conjugal 

 instincts more strongly developed or beautifully displayed. But the Cow-bird illustrates 

 this mode of life, and not in the lordly manner of the barn-yard cock, so devoted to his 

 harem, so gallant and just to all. As in this species there is no love of ofispring, neither 

 can there be conjugal affection ; all family ties are dispensed with. The association is- 

 a mere herding together in quest of food in similar resorts. The Cow-birds never mate ; 

 their most intimate relations are no sooner effected than forgotten ; not even the decent 

 restrictions of a seraglio are observed; it is a perfect community of free-lovers, who do 

 as the original Cynics did. The necessary courtship becomes in consequence a curiously 

 mixed affair. During the period corresponding to the mating season of orderly birds, 

 patriarchs of the sorry crew mount up the trees and fences, to do what they call their 

 singing. They posture and turn about, and ruffle their feathers to look bigger than Na- 

 ture made them ; if their skins were not tough they would certainly burst with vanity^ 

 They puff out their throats and pipe the most singular notes, perhaps honestly wishing 

 to please their companions of the other sex — at any rate, to their own satisfaction. 

 Meanwhile the females are perched near by, but without seeming very enthusiastic — 

 rather taking it all as a matter of course, listening at times, it may be, but just as likely 

 preening their plumage, with other thoughts and an ulterior purpose. The performance 



