Molothrus, cuckoo-like habits — Tyrant-flycatcher —.    From Wordnik.com.  [Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle] Reference

It was here that the severe impact of brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) on songbirds was well documented.    From Wordnik.com.  [Upper Midwest forest-savanna transition] Reference

“The development of local song preferences in female cowbirds (Molothrus ater): Flock living stimulates learning,” Ethology, 112.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Distinction Between Innate and Acquired Characteristics] Reference

There are several species of a family allied in structure and manners to our Starling: one of these (Molothrus niger) is remarkable from its habits.    From Wordnik.com.  [Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle] Reference

Furthermore, human commensal species, such as great-tailed grackle Quiscalus mexiccanus and bronzed cowbird Molothrus aeneus, normally increase in number around human settlements and result in the loss of nesting success in other birds.    From Wordnik.com.  [Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, Belize] Reference

In North America there is another species of Molothrus (M. pecoris), which has a similar cuckoo-like habit, and which is most closely allied in every respect to the species from the Plata, even in such trifling peculiarities as standing on the backs of cattle; it differs only in being a little smaller, and in its plumage and eggs being of a slightly different shade of colour.    From Wordnik.com.  [Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle] Reference

Cuckoo and Molothrus should agree in this one strange habit of their parasitical propagation, whilst opposed to each other in almost every other habit: the Molothrus, like our starling, is eminently sociable, and lives on the open plains without art or disguise: the cuckoo, as every one knows, is a singularly shy bird; it frequents the most retired thickets, and feeds on fruit and caterpillars.    From Wordnik.com.  [Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle] Reference

Mr. Swainson has well remarked,28 that with the exception of the Molothrus pecoris, to which must be added the M. niger, the cuckoos are the only birds which can be called truly parasitical; namely, such as "fasten themselves, as it were, on another living animal, whose animal heat brings their young into life, whose food they live upon, and whose death would cause theirs during the period of infancy.".    From Wordnik.com.  [Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle] Reference

This is the common name given to Molothrus ater, the American cowbird.    From Wordnik.com.  [VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol II No 4] Reference

Your bird is, I have no doubt, the Molothrus mentioned in my "Journal of Travels," page 52, as representing a North.    From Wordnik.com.  [More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2] Reference

The sexes of Molothrus badius are stated by an excellent observer, Mr. Hudson, sometimes to live promiscuously together in flocks, and sometimes to pair.    From Wordnik.com.  [VIII. Instinct. Special Instincts] Reference

The parasitic habits of another species of Molothrus, the M. bonariensis, are much more highly developed than those of the last, but are still far from perfect.    From Wordnik.com.  [VIII. Instinct. Special Instincts] Reference

Some species of Molothrus, a widely distinct genus of American birds, allied to our starlings, have parasitic habits like those of the cuckoo; and the species present an interesting gradation in the perfection of their instincts.    From Wordnik.com.  [VIII. Instinct. Special Instincts] Reference

In this case, as with that of the Molothrus or cuckoo, I can see no difficulty in natural selection making an occasional habit permanent, if of advantage to the species, and if the insect whose nest and stored food are feloniously appropriated, be not thus exterminated.    From Wordnik.com.  [VIII. Instinct. Special Instincts] Reference

Mr. Hudson is a strong disbeliever in evolution, but he appears to have been so much struck by the imperfect instincts of the Molothrus bonariensis that he quotes my words, and asks, “Must we consider these habits, not as especially endowed or created instincts, but as small consequences of one general law, namely, transition?.    From Wordnik.com.  [VIII. Instinct. Special Instincts] Reference

Swainson has well remarked, 8 that with the exception of the Molothrus pecoris, to which must be added the M. niger, the cuckoos are the only birds which can be called truly parasitical; namely, such as “fasten themselves, as it were, on another living animal, whose animal heat brings their young into life, whose food they live upon, and whose death would cause theirs during the period of infancy.    From Wordnik.com.  [Chapter III] Reference

West and King and their collaborators have conducted a long term study of the ontogenetic niche of the Brown-headed Cowbird Molothrus Ater (West and King.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Distinction Between Innate and Acquired Characteristics] Reference

Cuckoo-like habits of Molothrus, 55.    From Wordnik.com.  [Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle] Reference

Cowbird, Brown-headed Molothrus ater 218.    From Wordnik.com.  [The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats of the Eastern United States] Reference

I picture ‘dr’ more of a female Molothrus ater.    From Wordnik.com.  [Think Progress » Beck Touts Conspiracy Theory That Obama Is Buying Health Care Vote By Selling Judgeship] Reference

Molothrus, occurrence in Brazil.    From Wordnik.com.  [More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2] Reference

The parasitic habits of Molothrus.    From Wordnik.com.  [Life of Charles Darwin] Reference

Molothrus, habits of, 54.    From Wordnik.com.  [Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle] Reference