66 THE COLOURS OF ANIMALS 



The strongest argument used by Mr. Lucas is the 

 fact that cuckoos at first sight appear to have the 

 power of adjusting the colour of their eggs to those of 

 the birds which are so successfully imposed upon. It 

 seems to be certain, however, that the cuckoo carries 

 her egg to the nest in her beak ; for there are numerous 

 instances of the cuckoo's egg having been found in 

 a nest which the bird itself could not possibly enter, 

 and Mr. Lucas gives examples of the same kind from 

 Australia. The cuckoo has therefore the chance of 

 seeing the colour of her egg, and of carrying it to the 

 appropriate nest. It is also possible that different 

 individuals lay eggs of a different shade, and deposit 

 them in the nests of species with eggs of a correspond- 

 ing appearance. The whole relation of the cuckoo to 

 the birds it deludes is most interesting, but very 

 difficult to decide satisfactorily, because of the extreme 

 shyness of the bird. I do not think, however, that the 

 facts which are now at our disposal afford sufficient 

 justification for the opinion that the female cuckoo 

 can control the colour of her eggs. 



I have discussed the colours of birds' eggs at some 

 length in the hope that those readers who are interested 

 in the subject may be induced to observe for them- 

 selves, and assist in obtaining a far more complete 

 knowledge of the meaning of the colour and marking 

 of eggs than we at present possess. 



I know of no more inspiring subject than the 

 colours of birds' eggs. The most superficial glance 



