200 THE STORY OF THE BIRDS 



mimicry are presented by the Cuckoos. Not only 

 do certain species of these birds very closely 

 resemble Hawks, but others bear a remark- 

 able likeness to certain Game Birds. Our own 

 Cuckoo resembles the Sparrow-hawk so closely 

 that even small birds are apparently deceived, as 

 seems confirmed by their chasing it, just as they 

 often mob the rapacious bird. Then the young 

 Cuckoo in its turn bears a very remarkable 

 likeness to the Kestrel ; and this may pos- 

 sibly be an advantage to it, for the small foster- 

 parents of the Cuckoo do not fear the Kestrel ; 

 whereas if it resembled the Sparrow-hawk at 

 this age, they might easily become alarmed at 

 its Hawk-like appearance, and desert it long 

 before it was able to take care of itself. The 

 resemblance to the Kestrel must doubtless be 

 a further advantage to the young Cuckoo by 

 often saving it from the attacks of predatory 

 birds and beasts. Then other species of Cuckoo 

 that resemble Game Birds derive an advantage 

 from the fact that the latter are strong, pugna- 

 cious species, living in companies, and usually 

 accompanied by bellicose males ready to attack 

 and beat off marauding birds and animals. 

 Other Cuckoos again resemble certain pugna- 

 cious Drongo Shrikes, inhabiting the same 



