364 BRITISH BIRDS. 



left for some time to itself the young- Cuckoo, evidently 

 enticed by the foster-parents, though unable to fly, would 

 manage to flop back into the nest. Moreover, when the 

 hen Wagtail eventually did summon up enough courage to 

 settle on the hedge, she invariably first entered the nest 

 and looked for her charge, whereas it was vociferating 

 loudly, a conspicuous object enough, but a few feet away. 



By the twenty-first day, when placed on its twig, the 

 Cuckoo began to take an active interest in surrounding 

 objects, and was observed to preen itself. When 

 approached it became overpowered with rage, in which 

 state it has been depicted (Fig. 1). The foster-parents 

 apparently never roosted with their charge after a certain 

 age, for though I often visited the nest at night, I failed 

 to discover them. 



On the twenty-second day I placed the Cuckoo in a 

 small cage. The excreta were still encapsuled, and when 

 the cage door was left open wide enough the Wagtails 

 entered and removed them. The dietary at this period 

 consisted of small slugs and moths, while on one occasion 

 I found the carcase of a yellow underwing moth at the 

 bottom of the cage. On the twenty-third day, in the 

 early morning, the Cuckoo escaped from its prison, and I 

 found it in the upper branches of a neighbouring apple 

 tree, where doubtless it had flown. It was easily caught, 

 but could not be induced to stay on the perch for long, for 

 when the pangs of hunger became too strong, it flew 

 straight off to the top of the tree again. When trying 

 to catch the bird the second time it flew off across the 

 garden, escorted by the Wagtails, to their evident delight. 

 The apparently spontaneous attainment of the power of 

 flight is remarkable. It flew straight off the branch with, 

 every appearance of confidence in its j)Owers. During all 

 the occasions on which I saw the Guckoo fed, ]iot once 

 did the cock Wagtail attempt to approach. 



On the twenty-fourth day I gave my captive its liberty. 

 The Wagtails were overcome with joy, and crowded round 

 it with their beaks full of dainty morsels. The hen 



