COW BUNTING. 
301 
4 4 As to the vocal powers of this bird, I believe its pre- 
tensions are very humble, none of its notes deserving the 
epithet musical. The sort of simple cackling complaint it 
utters at being disturbed, constitutes also the expression of 
its pleasure at finding its companions, varying only in a more 
rapidly repeated 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. 
44 This, sir, is 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, 
44 Nathaniel Potter.” 
To the above very interesting detail I shall add the follow- 
ing 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 
Maryland Yellow-throat, which was built among the dry 
leaves at the root of a brier bush, a young male Cow Bunting, 
which filled 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, 
