io8 A SUCCESSFUL PRETENDER 
which he naturally belongs. All summer they move 
about in small flocks, frequenting woods and open 
fields while other birds are busy with domestic 
duties. Their black and rusty plumage is incon- 
spicuous, the females being lighter than the males. 
Though naturally despised and avoided by other 
birds, they sometimes find favour with the English 
Sparrows, These pugnacious little fellows are 
ignorant or broadly tolerant of the Cowbird's 
reputation, and they accept him in open and gener- 
ous friendship. It may be that no bird “ is useless 
while he has a friend/' 
