General Notes on the Cuckoo. 21 



hollow is filled up the desire is said to cease. It 

 pushes below a nestling with its wings, and raises 

 it with much exertion to the edge of the nest, finally 

 ejecting it by a supreme effort. The probable 

 reason why the Cuckoo's ^gg often hatches first is the 

 hen's habit of selecting nests with only one or two 

 fresh eggs. Subsequently she neglects her offspring 

 entirely." 



A further quotation, from the writings of Edward 

 Step, F.L.S., is also worth inclusion, although it 

 trespasses over somewhat the same ground as has 

 already been walked upon. The observations of 

 more than one writer, however, are much safer than 

 one, and between the different opinions and obser- 

 vations one may see where any divergence is ap- 

 parent. " For ages mankind has shown great inter- 

 est in the Cuckoo, and has invented several apocry- 

 phal stories about it. This is not to be wondered 

 at when one considers the wandering habits of the 

 bird, its superficial resemblance to a Hawk, its poly- 

 gamous conduct, and freedom from family and do- 

 mestic cares. Everybody knows the Cuckoo builds 

 no nest, and many will remember how the National 

 schoolboy declared in his essay that 'The Cooku is 



