io8 A SUCCESSFUL PRETENDER 



which he naturally belongs. All summer they move 

 about in small flocks, frequenting woods and open 

 fields while other birds are busy with domestic 

 duties. Their black and rusty plumage is incon- 

 spicuous, the females being lighter than the males. 

 Though naturally despised and avoided by other 

 birds, they sometimes find favour with the English 

 Sparrows. These pugnacious little fellows are 

 ignorant or broadly tolerant of the Cowbird's 

 reputation, and they accept him in open and gener- 

 ous friendship. It may be that no bird " is useless 

 while he has a friend." 



