OUR HOME BIRDS. 
107 
fine performance, although himself an excellent 
singer. Perhaps the harsh notes expressed, to him, 
the language of love and gratitude, and therefore they 
could not be otherwise than sweet. 
“ After all, the cow-bird has his useful points, for 
in the spring his appearance is often looked for by 
the farmers with some anxiety. If the horned cattle 
are not in good health at this season, they are sup- 
posed to be troubled with worms ; and when they are 
followed by the cow-birds, it is considered a sure sign 
that they are in need of medicine. But the birds are 
quite as busy with the young grass as the cattle are, 
as they find immense quantities of the larvae of dif- 
ferent insects, and stuff themselves with this tempt- 
ing food till their crops can hold no more.” 
