on the ground beneath some slight,
convenient shelter. Day after day she absents herself for a short
time, and the speckled treasures grow in number until from twelve to
fifteen have been deposited. All this time her movements are
characterized by absolute secrecy, for if the gobbler by any chance
comes upon the nest he immediately breaks every egg. He is perhaps
wise enough to know that when his hens begin to set lonely times are in
store for him.

_The Outcast._--One of our wild birds whose domestic relations are not
fully understood is strongly suspected of being promiscuously
polygamous. Suspicion on this point is heightened by the fact that it
never has a nest even of the most humble character, and shuns
absolutely all the ordinary dangers and responsibilities of parentage.
We call this seemingly unnatural creature the Cowbird, probably because
it is often seen feeding in pastures {57} among cattle, where it
captures many insects disturbed into activity by the movements of the
browsing animals.

The Cowbird lays its eggs in the nests of various other birds,
distributing them about the neighbourhood. Here they are left to be
hatched and the young to be reared by the foster parents. Cowbird's
eggs have been found in the nests of nearly one hundred species of
birds, and nearly always the nest of some smaller bird is chosen.
Despite this fact the Cowbird's eggs are often first to hatch. The
young grow rapidly and, being strong and aggressive, not only secure
the lion's share of the food, but frequently crowd the young of the
rightful owner out of the nest to perish on the ground beneath.

As soon as the young leave the nest the greedy Cowbird follows the
little mother about the thickets, shouting loudly for food. Its fierce
clamour drowns the weaker cries of the legitimate young, which I have
reason to believe even then often die for lack {58} of nourishment. So
insistent is the young Cowbird and so persistently does it pursue the
foster parent that it is well cared for and invariably thrives. It is
no uncommon sight, during the days of June and July, to see a worn,
bedraggled Song Sparrow {59} working desperately in a frantic effort to
feed one or more great hulking Cowbirds twice its size. It is little
wonder that discerning people are not fond of the Cowbird. Even the
birds seem to regard it as an outcast from avian society, and rarely
associate with it on friendly terms. This is the only species of