Species IV. EMBERIZA PECOEIS. 
COW BUNTING.* 
[Plate XVIII. Figs. 1, 2, and 3.] 
Le Brunei, Buff, iv., 138. — Le Pineon de Virginie, Briss. hi., 165. — Cowpen-bird, 
Catesb. i., 34. — Lath, ii., 2G9. — Arct. Zvol. ii., p. 371, No. 241. — Sturnus sterco- 
rarius, Bartram, p. 291. f 
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 obscure, that are not 
invested with certain powers and peculiarities, both of outward con- 
formation and internal faculties, exactly suited to their pursuits, suffi- 
cient 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 charac- 
teristic features are not evident, it is owing to our want of observation ; 
to our little intercourse with that particular 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 pecu- 
liarities are often surprising, always instructive where understood, and 
(as in the subject 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 entirely 
abandoning its progeny to the care and mercy of strangers. More than 
two thousand years ago it was well known, in those countries where the 
bird inhabits, that the Cuckoo of Europe (Ouculus canorus) never built 
* The American Cuckoo ( Ouculus 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. 
f Prince Musignnno quotes the following Synonymes : — Frivgilla pecoris, Gmel. 
Lath, female and young. — Oriolusfuscus, Gmel. adult male. — Oriohts minor, Gmel. 
species, No. 46, Lath, adult male. — Sturnus obscurus, Gmel. adult male. — Stimius 
junceti, Lath, adult male. — Troupiale de la Caroline, Buff. PI. Enl. 606, fig. 1, 
adult male. This figure is, no doubt, intended for this bird, although the bill is 
incorrect. — Brisson calls it Fringilla Yirginiana ; Yieillot, Passcrina pecoris. 
(71) 
