192 
COW BUNTING. 
« sical. The sort of simple cackling complaint it utters at be* 
“ ing disturbed, constitutes also the expression of its pleasure 
“ at finding its companions, varying only in a more rapidly re- 
“peated monotony. The deportment of the male, during his 
“ promiscuous intercourse with the other sex, resembles much 
“ that of a pigeon in the same situation. He uses nearly the 
“ same gestures; and by attentively listening you will hear a 
“ low, guttural sort of muttering, which is the most agreeable 
“ of his notes, and not unlike the cooing of a pigeon. This, Sir, 
‘Hs the amount of my information on this subject; and is no 
“ more than a transcript from my notes made several years ago. 
“ For ten years past since I have lived in this city, many of the 
“ impressions of nature have been effaced, and artificial ideas 
“ have occupied their places. The pleasure I formerly received 
“ in viewing and examining the objects of nature, are, however, 
“ not entirely forgotten; and those which remain, if they can 
‘‘ interest you, are entirely at your service. With the sincerest 
“ wishes for the success of your useful and arduous undertaking, 
“I am, dear Sir, 
“ Yours, very respectfully, 
“Nathaniel Potter.” 
To the above very interesting detail I shall add the following 
recent fact which fell under my own observation, and conclude 
my account of this singular species. 
In the month of July last I took from the nest of the Mary- 
land Yellow-throat, which was built among the dry leaves at 
the root of a briar bush, a young male Cow Bunting, which fill- 
ed and occupied the whole nest. I had previously watched the 
motions of the foster parents for more than an hour, in order to 
ascertain whether any more of their young were lurking about 
or not; and was fully satisfied that there were none. They had 
in all probability perished in the manner before mentioned. I 
took this bird home with me, and placed it in the same cage 
with a Red-bird {Loxia cardinalis), who, at first, and for seve- 
ral minutes after, examined it closely, and seemingly with great 
