COW BUNTING. 
293 
46 I regret exceedingly that professional avocations have 
put it out of my power to have replied earlier to your favour 
of the 19th of September ; and although I shall not now reflect 
all the light you desire, a faithful transcript from memoranda, 
noted at the moment of observation, may not be altogether 
uninteresting. 
44 The Fringilla pecoris is generally known in Maryland 
by the name of the Cow Blackbird; and none but the 
naturalist view it as a distinct species. It appears about the 
last of March, or first week in April, though sometimes a little 
earlier, when the spring is unusually forward. It is less 
punctual in its appearance than many other of our migratory 
birds. 
44 It commonly remains with us till about the last of October ; 
though unusually cold weather sometimes banishes it much 
earlier. It, however, sometimes happens that a few of them 
remain with us all winter, and are seen hovering about our 
barns and farm-yards when 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 Septem- 
ber in great numbers. I have noticed this fact always imme- 
diately 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 discovered them in my rambles in every part 
of the woods. I think it more likely that they migrate farther 
north, till they find a temperature more congenial to their 
feelings, or find a richer repast in following the cattle in a 
better pasture. * 
* “ It may not be improper to remark here, that the appearance of this bird 
in spring is sometimes looked for with anxiety by the farmers. If the horned 
cattle happen to be diseased in spring they ascribe it to worms, and consider 
the pursuit of the birds as an unerring indication of the necessity of medicine. 
Although this hypothesis of the worms infesting the cattle so as to produce 
much disease, is problematical, their superabundance at this season cannot be 
