cow BUNTING. 151 



a few residents behind them; who, without exception, build their 

 own nests and rear their own young. This part of the country also 

 abounds with suitable food, such as they usually subsist on. Many 

 conjectures indeed might be formed as to the probable cause ; but 

 all of them, that have occurred to me, are unsatisfactory and in- 

 consistent. Future, and more numerous observations, made with 

 care, particularly in those countries where they most usually pass 

 the summer, may throw more light on this matter; till then we can 

 only rest satisfied with the reality of the fact. 



This species winters regularly in the lower parts of North and 

 South Carolina and Georgia ; I have also met with them near Wil- 

 liamsburg, and in several other parts of Virginia. In January, 

 1809, 1 observed strings of them for sale in the market of Charles- 

 ton, South Carolina. They often frequent corn and rice-fields in 

 company with their cousins, as Mr. Bartram calls them, the Red- 

 winged Blackbirds ; but are more commonly found accompanying 

 the cattle, feeding on the seeds, worms, &c. which they pick up 

 amongst the fodder and from the excrements of the cattle, which 

 they scratch up for this purpose. Hence they have pretty generally 

 obtained the name of Cow-pen birds^ Cow-birds, or Cow Blackbirds. 

 By the naturalists of Europe they have hitherto been classed with 

 the Finches ; tho improperly, as they have no family resemblance 

 to that tribe sufficient to justify that arrangement. If we are to 

 be directed by the conformation of their bill, nostrils, tongue, and 

 claws, we cannot hesitate a moment in classing them with the Red- 

 winged Blackbirds, Oriolus Phoeniceus ; not however as Orioles, 

 but as Buntings, or some new intermediate genus ; the notes or dia- 

 lect of the Cow Bunting and those of the Red-wings, as well as 

 some other peculiarities of voice and gesticulation, being strikingly 

 similar. 



Respecting this extraordinary bird I have received communi- 

 cations from various quarters, all corroborative of the foregoing 



