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Excerpt from Host Relations of the Parasitic Cowbirds <p>Inasmuch as the completeness of our knowledge varies with the different species of cowbirds, the detailed discussion of such biolog ical matters as host selection, the relative frequency with which different species of these hosts are utilized, the success rate with which these birds serve as fosterers, and the various reactions they give to the parasite and to the incidence of parasitism are all given in the account of each species of cowbird. As might be expected from the interest discussed above, the data are incomparably more extensive, and thus more amenable to analysis and interpretation, for the North American brown-headed cowbird than for any of the others. Because of this, the chief biological discussion and synthesis are given under that species, even though parts of the thoughts and conclusions are applicable to the others as well. <p>The present study of the host-parasite relations of the cowbirds has been a long time in progress. Not only has a great mass of data been accumulating slowly over several decades, but newer insights and better methods of evaluating and interpreting the facts have been brought to bear as the material permitted. Much of the present data is due in large measure to the kind cooperation of many observ ers, collectors, and custodians of collections, all of whom have generously sent me numerous interesting records that otherwise would not have been available. <p>About the Publisher <p>Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com <p>This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majo