8 The Early Life of the Young Cuckoo. 



Pipits (as Mr. Craig had already broken one of the 

 eggs only two remained) was also missing ; probably 

 it had been turned out of the nest by one of the 

 young Cuckoos and carried away by the parents. 



The two young Cuckoos appeared at first to be 

 quite happy together, but a struggle of extraordin- 

 ary violence was soon commenced between the two 

 birds. What was apparently the stronger bird of 

 the two got what was evidently the weaker on its 

 back and strained every muscle to hoist it to the 

 top of the nest, while the other was holding on to 

 the nest with its claws for all it was worth. After 

 a severe struggle they both became exhausted and 

 went to the bottom of the nest, but after a short 

 respite the battle was again commenced time after 

 time, each bird fighting for dear life. 



On visiting the nest the following day, (June 9), 

 one of the Cuckoos was found outside the nest. Be- 

 fore putting it in again a young Pipit was secured 

 and put in the nest. The Cuckoo in the nest 

 hoisted it again and again on its back and climbed 

 up the side of the nest backwards with it, but the 

 Pipit always got jammed near the top. The other 

 Cuckoo was then put in again and a desperate 



