MOLOTHRUS PEC0R1S. 
131 
When autumn has fairly begun and the ripening leaves of the ivy and woodbine are 
dyed with brilliant hues, when the sultry heat of September has given place to the cool, 
clear weather of October, then the tinch-tinch-tinch of the migrating Bobolinks may be 
heard coming through the still night air, for this species, like many other of the smaller 
birds, move almost wholly during the hours of darkness. At first they assemble in large 
flocks on the salt marshes near the coast, finding shelter in the coarse grass which borders 
all the creeks, but with the first frosts they are off to the southward. When once started 
they usually move continuously, so that in a few days not one is to be found where there 
were thousands before. 
After the wheat is harvested in Pennsylvania a thick crop of a somewhat peculiar 
species of grass springs up and in autumn bears a large quantity of seeds. These immense 
fields are the resort of the Reed Birds when they have left New England, and I found them 
very abundant there during the latter portion of October. They grow so exceedingly fat 
from having such great quantities of food, which is easily obtained, that they fly with dif¬ 
ficulty. Indeed on one or two occasions I caught specimens in my hands as they were un¬ 
able to rise from the tall grass. At first I supposed they were wounded as they appeared 
so helpless, but a careful inspection made it very evident that their great corpulency alone 
was the cause of the trouble; in fact upon giving them their liberty they managed to get off 
flying very slowly. Thus a great change comes over our little friends when they put on 
their plain autumnal dress. From energetic, lively birds whose whole time is apparently 
given to singing or attending to the wants of their mates and offspring, they become epi¬ 
cures, never uttering a note nor caring for anything but a hearty meal. 
GENUS II. MOLOTHRUS. THE PARASITICAL BLACKBIRDS. 
Gen. Ch. Bill, rather thick and conical, not much shorter than the head. Upper mandible, a little curved. Wings, 
much longer than the tail which is considerably rounded, but the feathers are not acuminate. Sternum, stout, equal in breadth 
to one half the length of the coracoids. Size, medium. Stomach, muscular. 
Members of the present genus also resemble those of the preceding Family in having a very muscular stomach and thick 
bill, but are unlike any allied species in being parasitical in breeding habits, never building a nest of their own. They are 
also polygamous. The females are smaller than the males and duller in color at all seasons. 
MOLOTHRUS PECORIS. 
Cow Blackbird. 
Mololhruspecoris, Sw., F. Bor. Am., II, 1831, 277. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Ch. Form, robust. Size, medium. Tongue, rather fleshy, provided with a short tuft of terminal, hair-like fibers. 
Sternum, as given above. 
Color. Adult male. Head, neck, and anterior breast, chocolate-brown. Remainder of body, black throughout, with 
greenish reflections on all portions, excepting near the neck above, where they are violet. Tips of wings, brownish. Bill 
and feet, black. 
Adult female. Uniform, dull, slaty-brown throughout, lightest on the throat and darkest on the wings and tail. The 
centers of the feathers ot the back, breast, sides, and flanks, streaked with dusky. Bill, brown, lighter at base of lower man¬ 
dible. Feet, dark-brown. 
Young male. Has the chocolate markings much darker. The remainder of feathers are somewhat greener, and they 
are narrowly margined with reddish especially below. 
