380 Habits of the CucTcoo. 



[Dr. Johnston has described, in V. 428, 429., another 

 species, which he has there named E v olis rufibranchialis. He 



has there remarked 

 that the generic name 

 is variously written 

 E'olis, Eolida, and 

 Eolidia. A figure of 

 E v olis rufibranchialis 

 Johnston is presented 

 in V. 428. : we pre- 

 sent it also here (Jig. 37.), that the semblance of this species 

 may be seen in company with the semblances of the three 

 species described above : it "exhibits the animal considerably 

 magnified."] 



Art. VI. Short Communications* 



Birds. — Habits of the Cuckoo. (283 — 301. 325 — 340.) — 

 Although I am not able to elucidate much of the history of 

 the cuckoo, I can add another species of bird to the list [in 

 p. 288. and in p. 328.], of those species in whose nests the 

 cuckoo has been known to deposit its egg. During last summer, 

 near Harrow, as I was passing by a shallow dry ditch on the 

 edge of a close plantation, I observed a willow wren (Sylvia 

 Trochilus Selby) fly out of a little patch of low herbage on 

 the other side of the bank. On looking closer into this, I dis- 

 covered the nest, which was rather large and loose, composed 

 chiefly of withered leaves : it contained two small eggs, white, 

 dotted with brownish red, principally at the thicker end, and 

 one much larger, though small for that of the cuckoo, being 

 almost exactly the size and form of some of the eggs of the 

 pied wagtail which I possess, and very near the colour of the 

 latter, but the spots somewhat larger and redder. As I was 

 wanting specimens of the egg, and doubting whether I should 

 again be able to find the nest, I did not leave it for further 

 observation. Cuckoos were plentiful in the neighbourhood, 

 and several particularly resorted to the plantation near 

 which I found the above nest. I may also state, as re- 

 lating to the subject, that the only birds I have ever seen 

 in that part of the country pursuing the cuckoo are the 

 swallows and swifts ; I should, therefore, favour the idea of 

 their taking the cuckoos for hawks (p. 289.)j as, in these 

 instances at least, I should imagine it could have nothing to 

 do with the cuckoos having laid eggs in their nests. — Wl 

 G. Pelcrin. May 14. 1835. 



