This bird, in its habits, differs from all the birds which are known to naturalists on the continent of America; and it is rather a remarkable coincidence that there is one, on the continent of Europe, which has the same habits, and only one. The Cowpen Finch, or Cowbird of America and the common Cuckoo of Europe, build no nests of their own, but lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, and adopt other birds as foster parents for their young. There are several birds' nests which are appropriated by the Cowbird as receptacles for its young. the owners of which are generally smaller birds than the Cowbird, the egg of which (there is only one deposited in a nest) is hatched two or three days sooner; the young Cowbird then manages to exclude all the eggs of the legitimate owner, and takes sole possession of the premises, which, when it is about a week old, it fills completely up.* I have seen the young Cow-pen Finch in the nest of the American Goldfinch, the White-eyed Vireo, and Maryland Yellow Throat; and there are three or four more whose nests it selects for the purpose of incubation.

* It is so named from its habit of following the cows in pastures.

This cannot by any means be termed a songster; but if not famous for song he is, and will be, celebrated in the history of American birds, as being in his habits the only exception (as far as is known) to the common laws of nature which govern his tribe, on this continent.

Although the note of this bird is not at all attractive, being a kind of chattering, they are a very pretty bird, and they keep themselves neat and clean in a cage. Some years ago I saw one that an elderly lady had kept for three years in a cage, as she said, for the history that was attached to it. It was a male, jet black, with purple and violet reflections, and was in fine plumage; it was quite a favorite with the old lady.

* It is supposed by some that on the young Cowbird being hatched, the proprietors of the nest remove the eggs. It is said, that the Cuckoo (the eggs there being all hatched at the same time) hustles the other young out of the nest, or gets them on its back and jerks them out. In whatever way it is brought about, it is certain that the other young birds with the Cuckoo, and the eggs with the Cowbird disappear, and the foundlings become the sole occupants of the premises.

Food

They are hardy and easily kept on the same food as a Canary bird.

Characteristics Of The Sexes

The male is black with purple or violet, and sometimes green reflections; the head and neck are generally of a deep drab, but in the bird mentioned above, the head and neck were jet black also. The female is a fine deep brown, lighter below.

Location

Found throughout the United States; also to the northward. Migratory. Numbers winter in the Southern States.