HONEY-GUIDES. 445 
same number of eggs that she left. It is from this cause one fre- 
quently sees pieces of egg-shell surrounding the nests where Cuckoos 
have deposited their progeny. This action on the part of the birds 
denotes perfect reasoning powers, and consequently real intelligence. 
What say the great philosophers to it, who refuse this faculty to 
animals? When she has thus left her eggs, the female comes several 
times to see that her progeny are well cared for, and does not leave 
the neighbourhood till she is assured that such is the case. Thus 
she is not quite so free from solicitude about the welfare of her young 
as one at first thinks. Laying her eggs at considerable intervals, 
she would find that to cover eggs and raise a family at the same 
time are incompatible, for the latter duty involves frequent absences 
which would destroy the eggs, to which, during incubation, an equai 
and constant temperature is necessary. It is not then indifference, 
but thought, that causes her to confide to others her maternal cares. 
The young Cuckoo is no sooner hatched than it employs its infant 
strength to get rid of the true children of the foster-parents, in order 
to be the only one to profit by their attentions; so it forces itself 
under the frail occupants of the nest, gets them on its back—where 
it holds them by means of its raised wings—and precipitates them 
one after another from the nest. The mother, though thus cruelly 
treated in return for her affection, generally retains her love for this 
perfidious child of her adoption, and provides for all its wants until 
the time of its departure. Sometimes, however, she is so angry at the 
loss of her progeny, that she brings no nourishment to the adopted 
child forced upon her, and lets it die of starvation. 
The European Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus, Fig. 172) we are all 
familiar with, the other species of this family do not visit Europe. 
Honey-guides or Indicators (/zdcatores) have their place next to 
Cuckoos. These birds inhabit the interior of Africa, India, and 
Borneo. They feed on insects, and especially delight in the pupz of 
bees ; they employ very curious manceuvres in order to procure them, 
which denote perfect intelligence. When one of these birds discovers 
a hive, it endeavours to attract the attention of the first person it 
meets by frequently-repeated cries. When observed, it proceeds to 
fly, and leads thus for great distances till it reaches the place where 
the hive is, which it takes care to point out by every means in its 
power. Whilst the honey is being taken, the bird remains in the 
neighbourhood, observing ail that passes, and when that is accom- 
plished, it approaches to reap the fruits of its trouble. The bees 
make very little buzzing, but flutter round, trying to sting it, but its 
skin is impervious to their efforts. Often, however, the despoiled 
