The Body of a Bird 311 



An instance of what has been called unconscious 

 mimicry seems to exist in the cuckoo of the Old World, 

 which, like our cowbird, is parasitical in habits, making 

 no nest of its own, but depositing its eggs in the nests of 

 other species of birds. The cuckoo bears a striking 



Fig. 248. — Ivory Gull. Aggressive and protective coloration in an Arctic Gull. 



resemblance to a small hawk, both in general pattern and 

 in its darting flight. The name Hawk-cuckoo has been 

 applied to a genus of these birds in India; the name being 

 given because of the resemblance to a hawk. This simi- 

 larity may be of great use in temporarily frightening 

 away the owners of the nest in which the bird wishes 



