ALFRED DUGES. 179 
THE COWBIRD, MOLOTHRUS ATER. 
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF PROF, ALFRED DUGES, 
BY E. IRENE ROOD. 
Tuis bird, named in Mexico “Tordo,” seems not to 
migrate, for it is seen during the whole year almost every- 
where. 
In the city of Guanajuato they appear some time in March, 
and may then be seen by the hundred sitting on the cornices 
of large buildings and on the long roofs of the silver- 
smelting works. They go in pairs, live on friendly terms 
with the domestic pigeons, and partake of their food. 
In the country the Cowbirds travel in large flocks resem- 
bling dark clouds, and their rapid flight produces a sound 
similar to that of a hard shower. They follow the capricious 
evolutions of their leader, changing at every moment the 
forms of their masses, and finally alight in the pasture 
among the cattle. 
Though the Cowbird willingly eats insects and angle- 
worms, it prefers grain, and can be kept for years on corn 
mush, bread, and red pepper. It is easily tamed and 
becomes a great favorite, running loose about the house, 
singing its peculiar gurgling notes. 
When one is killed the others gather around him, making 
it an easy matter to shoot a number. 
The farmers dread them and teach their children to chase 
them from the newly sowed fields; for they come down in 
large numbers as soon as the insect supply fails, and then 
eat the grain. To give an idea of their numbers, I must 
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