18 
THE COW-PEH-BIRD. 
The Cow-pen-bird, after passing the winter in the Southern States, or in 
regions nearer the equator, makes its appearance in the Middle States about 
the end of March or beginning of April, arriving in small parties. Their 
flight is performed chiefly under night, and during the day they are seen 
resting on the trees, or frequenting the banks of streams in quest of food. 
They continue to be seen in small flocks until the beginning of June, when 
they disappear, the various flocks having successively passed northward. 
Its flight is similar to- that of the Redwing, with which it frequently 
associates in its rambles. During spring and summer it feeds on insects, 
larvrn, and worms, frequenting the cornfields, meadows and open places. 
The males and females arrive together ; but contrary to the general prac- 
tice among the feathered tribes, these birds do not pair. The males seem to 
regard the females with little interest. The numberless acts of endearment, 
the many carollings, joyous flights, and bursts of ecstatic feeling, which 
other birds display at the commencement of the breeding season, are entirely 
dispensed with. When a particular intimacy takes place between two indi- 
viduals of different sexes, it soon ceases, and the same individuals mate with 
others. The sexual attachment intended for the benefit of the young brood 
does not take place, because in this species the young are not to be reared 
by their parents, but to be left to the care of birds of other kinds. The 
Cow-pen Buntings, in fact, like some unnatural parents of our own race, 
send out their progeny to be nursed. 
When the female is about to deposit her eggs, she is observed to leave her 
companions, and perch upon a tree or fence, assuming an appearance of 
uneasiness. Her object is to observe other birds while engaged in con- 
structing their nests. Should she not from this position discover a nest, 
she moves off and flies from tree to tree, until at length, having found a 
suitable repository for her egg, she waits for a proper opportunity, drops 
it, flies off, and returns in exultation to her companions. 
The birds in whose nests the eggs of the Cow Bunting are thus deposited, 
are all smaller than itself. That which is most frequently favoured with 
the unwelcome gift is the Maryland Yellow-throat. The other species in 
which I have found the egg of the Cow-bird are the Chipping Sparrow, 
the Blue-bird, the Yellow-bird, several Fly-catchers, especially the Blue- 
grey and the White-eyed, and the Golden-crowned Thrush. The nests of 
these birds are very different in form, size and materials, as well as in posi- 
tion, some being placed high on trees, others in low bushes, and that of the 
Thrush on the ground. 
It is also a very remarkable circumstance, that although the Cow-bird is 
larger than the species in the nests of which it deposits its eggs, the eggs 
themselves are not much superior in size to those of their intended foster* 
