THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 265 



bird whose cradle it shares, and to get the latter upon its 

 back, where it keeps it by raising its wings. It then works 

 itself backward to the edge of the nest, raises itself up for 

 an instant, then, making an effort, expels its load from the 

 nest. After this feat it rests for a few moments, as if to 

 assure itself of the success of its attempt." 



The spoiler displays frightful perseverance in accomplish- 

 ing its work of destruction ; it toils at it incessantly, and 

 ejects everything from its cradle. Colonel Montague saw 

 a young cuckoo, with indefatigable perseverance, for four 

 whole days continue to expel a newly-hatched swallow, 

 which he took care to replace each time beside it; after 

 this period, it lived on the best of terms with its little com- 

 panion. 



Now as the brood of each wren numbers about ten, it re- 

 sults that, to rear its progeny, the cuckoo sacrifices every 

 year a score of young birds. This is the reason why it has 

 drawn down upon itself general dislike, and has, in Ger- 

 many, with good ground, become the symbol of ingratitude. 



According to the authors of the " General Dictionary of 

 the Sciences," the female cuckoo sometimes takes upon her- 

 self the task of massacring the little ones which are already 

 hatched at the time when she deposits her eggs in the 

 nests. 



O 





