THE CUCKOO. 63 



These rings contain occasionally a central spot like the Ja- 

 guars, but are more commonly without, {ocelli cceci) . They 

 are never so broad as in the jaguar. Linnaeus was of opinion 

 that the leopard and panther were varieties of the same 

 species. — Editor. 



the CUCKOO. 

 To the Editor of the Zoological Magazine. 



Sir, 

 I have read with great interest the communication of your 

 correspondent W. C, describing the manner in which the 

 young cuckoo refuses to labour for its own support, as long 

 as it can force any other bird to supply it with food ; as well 

 as the attention which the smaller birds pay to its cry for 

 help. I have seen an account of a similar occurrence be- 

 tween a cuckoo and a thrush, which were put into the same 

 cage, the latter undertaking to feed the former. The cuckoo 

 had been taken out of a hedge-sparrow's nest. These birds 

 were in the possession of Gideon Man tell, Esq. of Lewes. 

 The following extract from the Introduction to Sweet's Bri- 

 tish Warblers rather confirms his supposition that migratory 

 birds, detained in this country beyond the time appointed for 

 their departure, feel, in captivity, the same impulse which, in 

 a state of liberty, would have carried them to far distant 

 lands. 



" These birds, when in confinement, are very restless at 

 the seasons of their usual migration from one country to 

 another, — at the time that they are leaving this country in au- 

 tumn, about twice during the winter, and again when they 

 are returning in the spring. From their agitation at various 

 times in the winter, it may be concluded that they visit more 

 than one country after their departure from this. It is very 

 curious to see them when in that state ; their restlessness 

 seems to come on them all at once ; and generally in the 

 evening, when they are sitting, seemingly quite composed, 

 they start up suddenly and flutter their wings ; sometimes 

 flying direct to the top of the cage or aviary \ at other times 

 running backwards and forwards on their perches, continu- 

 ally flapping their wings, and looking upward all the time : 

 nor will they notice anything that is going forward as long 

 as they continue in that state, which lasts for an hour or two 

 at each time. By their always wishing to fly upwards, it 

 may be supposed that when they take their flight, they mount 

 to a great height, so that they can direct their course the 



