CUCKOO • 423 



number of other kinds of cuckoos, some more or less nearly allied to 

 the typical species, and others markedly distinct. Among the latter 

 is the great spotted cuckoo {Coccj'stcs glaiidarins) of southern Europe, 

 which victimises magpies (P/ra caitdata), blue magpies {Cycxnopica cooki), 

 and crows {^Corvus conii.x). In the instance of the pies, the resemblance 

 of the &(g^ of the intruder to those of the rightful owner of the nest 

 is remarkably close. On the other hand, there are certain cuckoos, 

 such as the coucal {Cciitropns inadagascaricnsis) of Madagascar, and 

 the xAmerican black-billed cuckoo {Coccyzus erytJirophthalnuis), which 

 build nests and incubate a clutch of their own eggs ; the nest being 

 remarkably small for the size of the bird. Finally, in certain South 

 American cuckoos, such as the ani {Crotophaga ani), and the guira 

 {Giiira piririgna), several hens combine to lay in one nest, in which 

 they take turns at incubation. 



The parasitic habit is, however, not restricted to the cuckoo family, 

 for the American cow-birds (Molothrus) drop their eggs singly among 

 those of tyrant-birds (Milvulus) and other species ; as do some kinds 

 of African honey-guides (Indicatoridae), in the nests of certain other 

 birds. 



Cuckoos are believed to find foster- nurseries by watching small 

 birds building before they themselves are ready to la\', and remembering 

 the situations. In most of the nests selected, the only way in which 

 the foreign egg could be introduced is by means of the parent's beak ; 

 and it is probable that this mode of introduction is generally practised 

 even when direct laying is practicable. As a rule, the female deposits 

 her eggs unaccompanied by the male. Seventy days is the average 

 length of the breeding-season ; the hen arrives some eight or ten days 

 after the cock, and usually lays her first egg from twenty to twenty-five 

 days after the first call of her partner. About eight eggs are believed 

 to be laid by each female, with an interval of some six days between 

 each. If more than a single egg be placed in the foster-nursery, it 

 means a scarcity of suitable nests in the district in proportion to the 

 number of cuckoos ; in the case of two eggs in a nest, they may be 

 the product of either one or two birds ; three eggs in a nest is the 

 record. If the cuckoo's egg be laid in a nest before the rightful owner 

 has deposited her own eggs, the nest is generally forsaken ; but it seems 

 probable that when a cuckoo's egg is found in a nest with a full clutch 

 of eggs of the owning species the cuckoo has laid first, for it is the 

 practice of the latter to remove one or more of the original eggs 

 before introducing her own. It is also stated that in some instances the 

 female cuckoo will revisit the nest, and turn out the rightful nestlings 



