Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!apple!well!lp
From: lp@well.sf.ca.us (Lily Pond)
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Re: What bird WAS this??!
Keywords: gurgling, bowing
Message-ID: <25476@well.sf.ca.us>
Date: 16 Jun 91 01:14:07 GMT
References: <25412@well.sf.ca.us> <1991Jun14.221000.12765@ingres.Ingres.COM>
Organization: Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, Sausalito, CA
Lines: 23




Thanks to everyone who responded to this query!!

The main consensus seems to be that it was a brown-headed cowbird.
Apparently, their having been seen in town is not unheard of -- and
yes, it does match the pictures in my bird book.

However . . . there is an interesting disagreement as to what "the
dance" represents.  One person suggests it is a mating dance, not
unlike the dance of the sage grouse, which is also a native of prarie
areas, and that what I had though might be baby towhees were more
likely female cowbirds.

The second suggestion is that the babies were baby cowbirds who had 
had their eggs placed in a towhee nest, and that the dance was for the
purpose of arousing in those baby cowbirds' hearts a resounding recognition.

So, what do you think?  I kind of tlike that second one, but the first seems
more realistic . . . .   Anyone else with a guess?

And thank you.