cow BUNTING. 
209 
■w hen straitened for sustenance by snow or hard frost. 
It is remarkable that in some years I have not been 
able to discover one of them during- the months of July 
and August; when they have suddenly appeared in 
September in great numbers. I have noticed this fact 
always immediately after a series of very hot weather, 
and then only. The general opinion is, that they then 
retire to the deep recesses of the shady forest; but, if 
this had been the fact, I should probably have dis- 
covered them in ray rambles in every part of the woods. 
1 think it more likely that they migrate farther north, 
^ they find a temperatui-e more cougeniid to their 
feelings, or find a richer repast in following the cattle 
'Q a better pasture.* 
“ In autumn, we often find them congregated with 
tbe marsh blackbirds, committing their common depre- 
dations upon the ears of the Indian corn ; and at other 
Seasons, the similarity of their pursuits in feeding 
Introduces them into the same company. I could ne-ver 
observe that they would keep the company of any 
other bird. 
“ The cow-pen finch differs, moreover, in another 
tespect, from all the birds with which I am acquainted. 
■After an observance of many years, I could never dis- 
cover any thing like pairing, or a mutual attachment 
oetweeu the sexes. Even in the season of love, -n-hen 
* “It may not be improper to remark here, that the appearance 
^ this bird in spring is sometimes looked for with anxiety by the 
drrniers. If the horned cattle happen to be diseased in spring, they 
^'leribe it to worms, anil consider the pursuit of the birds as an 
joterring indication of the necessity of medicine. Although this 
l‘)T)othesis of the worms infesting the cattle so as to produce much 
"teease is problematical, their 8nj)erabundance at this season cannot 
denied. The larva! of several species otc deposited in the 
y^getables when green, and the cattle arc fed on them as fodtier 
Winter. This furnishes the principal inducement fiir the bird 
follow the cattle in spring, when the aperient effects of the 
Steen grasses evacuates great numbers of worms. At this season 
‘be peeoris often stuffs its cro]) with them till it can contain no 
tiore. There are several species, but the iiuist numerous is a small 
"'bite one, similar to, if not the same as, the ascaris of the human 
*Pacies.” 
VOL. I. 
O 
