COW BUNTING. 
75 
our climate, they were induced to secure suitable places for their pro- 
geny ; and that in the regions where they more generally pass the sum- 
mer, they might perhaps build nests for themselves, and rear their own 
young, like every other species around them. On the other hand, when 
I consider that many of them tarry here so late as the middle of June, 
dropping their eggs, from time to time, into every convenient receptacle ; 
that in the states of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and 
Pennsylvania, they uniformly retain the same habits ; and, in short, 
that in all these places I have never yet seen or heard of their nest ; — 
reasoning from these facts, I think I may safely conclude, that they 
never build one; and that in those remote northern regions their man- 
ners are the same as we find them here. 
What reason Nature may have for this extraordinary deviation from 
her general practice, is, I confess, altogether beyond my comprehension. 
There is nothing singular to be observed in the anatomical structure of 
the bird that would seem to prevent or render it incapable of incubation. 
The extreme heat of our climate is probably one reason why in the 
months of July and August they are rarely to be seen here. Yet we 
have many other migratory birds that regularly pass through Pennsyl- 
vania to the north, leaving 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 proba- 
ble cause ; but all of them, that have occurred to me, are unsatisfactory 
and inconsistent. 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 Williamsburg, 
and in several other parts of Virginia. In January, 1809, I observed 
strings of them for sale in the market of Charleston, 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 Coivpen-birds, Cotv-birds, or Cow 
Blackbirds. By the naturalists of Europe they have hitherto been 
classed with the Finches ; though improperly, as they have no family 
resemblance to that tribe sufficient to justify that arrangement. If Ave 
are to be directed by the conformation of their bill, nostrils, tongue, and 
claws, Ave cannot hesitate a moment in classing them with the Red- 
winged Blackbirds, Oriolus Plioeniccus ; not, hoAvever, as Orioles, but as 
