DECEIVING WILD CREATURES. 51 



per clutch at the opening of the season, every 

 single egg was a consideration to the finder. In 

 order, therefore, not to suffer loss at the hands 

 of any competitor roaming the same land, the 

 astute old fellow used to leave each bird that 



GRASSHOPPER WARBLER 



ABOUT TO SIT DOWN ON DUMMY EGGS. 



had not finished laying a v/ooden egg when he 

 carried off the money-making realities. 



As an illustration of the ease with which 

 cuckoos must impose upon small birds when 

 carrying out their parasitic habits, I may mention 

 that the grasshopper w^arbler figured herewith 

 was photographed when about to sit down on 



