126 CUCULUS CANORUS. 



action was performed by insinuating itself under the swallow, 

 and with its rump forcing it out of the nest with a sort of 

 jerk. Sometimes, indeed, it failed after much struggle, by- 

 reason of the strength of the Swallow, which was nearly full- 

 feathered, but after a small respite from the seeming fatigue, 

 it renewed its efforts, and seemed continually restless till it suc- 

 ceeded. At the end of the fifth day this disposition ceased, 

 and it suffered the Swallow to remain in the nest unmolested."" 



Similar observations made by Mr Blackwall,, are recorded 

 in the Manchester Memoirs, 2d series. Vol. lY. " On the 

 30th of June,"" he relates, " I took a young Cuckoo that was 

 hatched in a Titlark's nest on the 28th, seven days after the old 

 birds had quitted the neighbourhood ; and this nestling, while 

 in my possession, turned both young birds and eggs out of its 

 nest, in which I had placed them for the purpose, and gave 

 me an opportunity of contemplating at leisure the whole pro- 

 cess of this astonishing proceeding, so minutely and accurately 

 described by Dr Jenner. I observed that this bird, though so 

 young, threw itself backwards with considerable force when 

 any thing touched it unexpectedly."'"' 



Beyond this, there is nothing marvellous in the history of 

 thejyoung bird, which, carefully fed by its foster-parents, who 

 no doubt believe it to be their own progeny, grows apace. It 

 appears that very many species of birds having hatched the eggs 

 of other birds, consider the produce to be really their own ; 

 and j^tliat many also without having incubated will adopt a 

 helpless youngling and feed it. It is not more wonderful that 

 the^Pipits or Wagtails should harbour no suspicion of the alien 

 character of the great bird which fills their nest, than that a 

 hen should continue to perform a motherly part toward the 

 ducklings which manifest the difference of their nature by 

 gladly betaking themselves to the water of which she has a 

 salutary dread. While the young Cuckoo remains in the nest, 

 it is plentifully supplied with food by its fi-iends, who, ignorant 

 of the destruction of their own young, and having their parental 

 feeling excited by its continued demands, cheerfully labour in its 

 behalf When it can fly, and has left the nest, they continue to 

 provide for and protect it to the best of their power, and this 



