BIRDS OF THE WOODLANDS 117 



seventy-eight species, including those of Finches, 

 Jays, Magpies, and even of the Little Grebe. In 

 the latter instances, it may be supposed that even 

 if the young were hatched, the foster-parents would 

 fail to support them. 



It has also been stated that the Cuckoo actually 

 determines the colour of her eggs, and adapts them 

 to the hue of those in the nest which she usurps. 

 This is not altogether borne out by the facts, for 

 her greyish-green eggs, closely mottled with deeper 

 grey, are constantly found in the nest of the Hedge- 

 sparrow. At the same time, Mr. Metcalfe informs 

 me that he has found a Cuckoo's egg of a uniform 

 pale blue in a Hedge-sparrow's nest, and many 

 other examples are recorded. In the Natural His- 

 tory Museum at South Kensington there is a special 

 case of clutches of eggs amongst which the Cuckoo 

 has deposited hers, which certainly show a marked 

 adaptation of colour. 



In regard to the placing of the egg, it is now 

 known that the female first discovers what she 

 deems to be a suitable home, lays an egg on the 

 ground adjacent to it, then deliberately carries the 

 egg in her bill and deposits it in the alien nest, the 

 act of intrusion being constantly resented bv the 

 owners, although they subsequently brood the egg 

 with the most sedulous care. 



Then follows what has been described as one of 

 the most remarkable chapters in Natural Historv. 

 The Cuckoo's egg^ notwithstanding its greater size, 

 is usually hatched either a little before, or at the 

 same time, as those of the rightful householder. 

 The young monster, therefore, finds himself associ- 



