208 
ICTERUS PECORIS. 
blackbirds. By the naturalists of Europe they have 
hitherto been classed with the finches ; though impro- 
perly, as they have no family resemblance to that tribe 
sufficient to justify that arrangement. If we are to he 
directed by the conformation of their bill, nostrils, 
tongue, and claws, we cannot hesitate a moment in 
classing them with the red-winged blackbirds, oriolus 
phceniceus ; not, however, as orioles , but as buntings y 
or some new intermediate genus ; the notes or dialect 
of the cow bunting and those of the redwings, as well 
as some other peculiarities of voice and gesticulation, 
being strikingly similar. 
Respecting this extraordinary bird, I have received 
communications from various quarters, all corroborative 
of the foregoing particulars. Among these is a letter 
from’ Dr Potter of Baltimore, which, as it contains 
some new and interesting facts, and several amusing 
incidents, illustrative of the character of the bird, I 
shall with pleasure lay before the reader, apologizing 
to the obliging writer for a few unimportant omissions 
which have been anticipated in the preceding pages. 
a 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. 
“ The fringilla pecoris is generally known in Mary- 
land 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. 
“ 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 
