145 



COW BUNTING.* 

 EMBERIZA PECORIS. 

 [Plate XVIIL— Figs. 1, 2, & 3.] 



Le Brunei, Buff. IV, 138. — LePingon de Firginie, Briss. Ill, 165. — Cowpen-bird, CatesB. 



34. Lath. II, 269. — Arct. Zool. p. 371, No. 241. — Sturnus stercorarius^ Bartram, 



p. 291, — Pe ale's Museum, No. 6378, male — 62^19, female. 



THERE is one striking peculiarity in the works of the great 

 Creator, which becomes more amazing the more we reflect on it; 

 namely, that he has formed no species of animals so minute, or ob- 

 scure, that are not invested with certain powers and peculiarities, 

 both of outward conformation and internal faculties, exactly suited 

 to their pursuits, sufficient to distinguish them from all others ; and 

 forming for them a character solely and exclusively their own. 

 This is particularly so among the feathered race. If there be any 

 case where these characteristic features are not evident, it is owing 

 to our want of observation ; to our little intercourse with that par- 

 ticular tribe ; or to that contempt for inferior animals and all their 

 habitudes which is but too general, and which bespeaks a morose 

 unfeeling and unreflecting mind. These peculiarities are often sur- 

 prising, always instructive where understood, and (as in the sub- 

 * ject of our present chapter) at least amusing, and worthy of being 

 farther investigated. 



The most remarkable trait in the character of this species is 

 the unaccountable practice it has of dropping its eggs into the nests 

 of other birds, instead of building and hatching for itself ; and thus 



* The American Cuckoo (Cuculus Carolinensis) is by many people called the Cow- 

 bird, from the sound of its notes resembling the words cow, cow. This bird builds its own 

 nest very artlessly in a cedar or an apple tree, and lays four greenish blue eggs, which it 

 hatches, and rears its young with great tenderness. 



VOL. II. O O 



