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COW BUNTING. 



" In autumn, we often find them congregated with the 

 marsh blackbirds, committing their common depredations 

 upon the ears of the Indian-corn ; and at other seasons, the 

 similarity of their pursuits in feeding introduces them into 

 the same company. I could never observe that they would 

 keep the company of any other bird. 



" The cowpen finch differs, moreover, in another respect 

 from all the birds with which I am acquainted. After an 

 observance of many years, I could never discover anything 

 like pairing, or a mutual attachment between the sexes. 

 Even in the season of love, when other birds are separated 

 into pairs, and occupied in the endearing office of providing a 

 receptacle for their offspring, the Fringillce are seen feeding 

 in odd as well as even numbers, from one to twenty, and 

 discovering no more disposition towards perpetuating their 

 species than birds of any other species at other seasons, 

 excepting a promiscuous concubinage, which pervades the 

 whole tribe. When the female separates from the company, 

 her departure is not noticed ; no gallant partner accompanies 

 her, nor manifests any solicitude in her absence ; nor is her 

 return greeted by that gratulatory tenderness that so eminently 

 characterises the males of other birds. The male proffers the 

 same civilities to any female indiscriminately, and they are 

 reciprocated accordingly, without exciting either resentment 

 or jealousy in any of the party. This want of sexual attach- 

 ment is not inconsistent with the general economy of this 

 singular bird ; for, as they are neither their own architect, 

 nor nurse of their own young, the degree of attachment that 

 governs others would be superfluous. 



their superabundance at this season cannot be denied. The larvae of 

 several species are deposited in the vegetables when green, and the 

 cattle are fed on them as fodder in winter. This furnishes the prin- 

 cipal inducement for the bird to follow the cattle in spring, when the 

 aperient effects of the green grasses evacuate great numbers of worms. 

 At this season the Pecoris often stuffs its crop -with them till it can contain 

 no more. There are several species, but the most numerous is a small 

 white one similar to, if not the same as, the Ascaris of the human species." 



