lo The Early Life of the Young Cuckoo. 



then acted on the defensive by lying in a canted 

 position by keeping the side that was next its op- 

 ponent downward, one of its legs being stretched 

 out and its claws against the opposite side of the 

 nest, to try and prevent its opponent from getting 

 under it. The nest was then bolstered up to give 

 the weak bird a chance to recover, but on June 11 

 the weak bird had disappeared altogether ! The 

 foster parents paid no attention to the young 

 Cuckoo when it was outside the nest, although the 

 bird was frequently sitting on the side of it. 



Thus far no photographs of any value had been 

 secured, although such excellent opportunities had 

 been presented. Not to be outwitted, Mr. Craig 

 procured a young Yellow Bunting, which was ad- 

 mirably suited for his purpose. This he placed, on 

 June 12, in the nest beside the sole remaining occu- 

 pant, i.e.^ the strongest young Cuckoo. After a few 

 minutes' delay the Cuckoo hoisted the Yellow Bunt- 

 ing on its back and climbed up the side of the nest 

 backwards and shot the bird over the nest ! The 

 young bird was put back into the nest again and 

 again, but the Cuckoo repeated the operation each 

 time. 



