18 THE COW-PEN-BIRD. 



The Cow-pen-bird, after passing the winter in the Southern States, or in 

 regions nearer the equator, makes its appearance in the Middle States about 

 the end of March or beginning of April, arriving in small parties. Their 

 flight is performed chiefly under night; and during the day they are seen 

 resting on the trees, or frequenting the banks of streams in quest of food. 

 They continue to be seen in small flocks until the beginning of June, when 

 they disappear, the various flocks having successively passed northward. 



Its flight is similar to that of the Redwing, with which it frequently 

 associates in its rambles. During spring and summer it feeds on insects, 

 larvae and worms, frequenting the cornfields, meadows and open places. 



The males and females arrive together; but contrary to the general prac- 

 tice among the feathered tribes, these birds do not pair. The males seem to 

 regard the females with little interest. The numberless acts of endearment, 

 the many carrollings, joyous flights, and bursts of ecstatic feeling, which 

 other birds display at the commencement of the breeding season, are entirely 

 dispensed with. When a particular intimacy takes place between two indi- 

 viduals of different sexes, it soon ceases, and the same individuals mate with 

 others. The sexual attachment intended for the benefit of the young brood 

 does not take place, because in this species the young are not to be reared by 

 their parents, but to be left to the care of birds of other kinds. The Cow- 

 pen Buntings, in fact, like some unnatural parents of our own race, send out 

 their progeny to be nursed. 



When the female is about to deposit her eggs, she is observed to leave her 

 companions, and perch upon a tree or fence, assuming an appearance of 

 uneasiness. Her object is to observe other birds while engaged in con- 

 structing their nests. Should she not from this position discover a nest, she 

 moves off and flies from tree to tree, until at length, having found a suitable 

 repository for her egg, she waits for a proper opportunity, drops it, flies off, 

 and returns in exultation to her companions. 



The birds in whose nests the eggs of the Cow Bunting are thus deposited, 

 are all smaller than itself. That which is most frequently favoured with the 

 unwelcome gift is the Maryland Yellow-throat. The other species in which 

 I have found the egg of the Cow-bird "are the Chipping Sparrow, the Blue- 

 bird, the Yellow-bird, several Fly-catchers, especially the Blue-grey and the 

 White-eyed, and the Golden-crowned Thrush. The nests of these birds are 

 very different in form, size and materials, as well as in position, some being 

 placed high on trees, others in low bushes, and that of the Thrush on the 

 ground. 



It is also a very remarkable circumstance, that although the Cow-bird is 

 larger than the species in the nests of which it deposits its eggs, the eggs 

 themselves are not much superior in size to those of their intended foster- 



