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COW BUNTING. 
u In autumn, we often find them congregated with the 
Marsh Blackbirds, committing their common depredations 
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 never observe that they would keep 
the company of any other bird. 
C( The Cow-pen Finch differs, moreover, in another respect, 
from all the birds with which I am acquainted. After an 
observance of many years, I could never discover any. thing 
like pairing , or a mutual attachment between the sexes. 
Even in the season of love, when other birds are separated 
into pairs, and occupied in the endearing office of providing a 
receptacle for their offspring, the Fringillce are seen feeding 
in odd as well as even numbers, from one to twenty, and 
discovering no more disposition towards perpetuating their 
species than birds of any other species at other seasons, 
excepting a promiscuous concubinage, which pervades the 
whole tribe. When the female separates from the company, 
her departure is not noticed ; no gallant partner accompanies 
her, nor manifests any solicitude in her absence ; nor is her 
return greeted by that gratulatory tenderness that so eminently 
characterizes the males of other birds. The male proffers the 
same civilities to any female, indiscriminately, and they are 
reciprocated accordingly, without exciting either resentment 
or jealousy in any of the party. This want of sexual 
attachment is not inconsistent with the general economy of 
this singular bird; for, as they are neither their own architect, 
nor nurse of their own young, the degree of attachment that 
governs others would be superfluous. 
denied. The larvae of several species are deposited in the vegetables when 
green, and the cattle are fed on them as fodder in winter. This furnishes the 
principal inducement for the bird to follow the cattle in spring, when the 
aperient effects of the green grasses evacuate great numbers of worms. At 
this season the Pecoris often stuffs its crop with them till it can contain no 
more. There are several species, but the most numerous is a small white one 
similar to, if not the same as, the Ascaris of the human species.” 
