COW B UNTING. 30 1 



"As to the vocal powers of this bird, I believe its preten- 

 sions are very humble, none of its notes deserving the epithet 

 musical. The sort of simple crackling complaint it utters at 

 being disturbed, constitutes also the expression of its pleasure 

 at finding its companions, varying only in a more rapidly 

 repeated monotony. The deportment of the male, dining his 

 promiscuous intercourse with the other sex, resembles much 

 that of a pigeon in the same situation. He uses nearly the 

 same gestures ; and, by attentively listening, you will hear a 

 low, guttural sort of muttering, which is the most agreeable 

 of his notes, and not unlike the cooing of a pigeon. 



" This, sir, is the amount of my information on this subject, 

 and is no more than a transcript from my notes made several 

 years ago. For ten years past, since I have lived in this 

 citj', many of the impressions of nature have been effaced, 

 and artificial ideas have occupied their places. The pleasure 

 I formerly received in viewing and examining the objects of 

 nature, are, however, not entirely forgotten ; and those which 

 remain, if they can interest you, are entirely at your service. 

 With the sincerest wishes for the success of your useful and 

 arduous undertaking, I am, dear sir, yours very respectfully, 



" Nathaniel Potter." 



To the above very interesting detail I shall add the follow- 

 ing recent fact, which fell under my own observation, and 

 conclude my account of this singular species. 



In the month of July last, I took from the nest of the 

 Maryland yellow-throat, which was built among the dry 

 leaves at the root of a brier bush, a young male cow bunting, 

 which filled and occupied the whole nest. I had previously 

 watched the motions of the foster parents for more than an 

 hour, in order to ascertain whether any more of their young 

 were lurking about or not ; and was fully satisfied that there 

 were none. They had, in all probability, perished in the 

 manner before mentioned. I took this bird home with me, 

 and placed it in the same cage with a red bird {Loxia 



