A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE CUCKOO. 63 
once recognisable. We have next to consider the raising of the 
Cuckoo’s young. 
In many cases it will appear, from what has been already stated, 
that the young Cuckoo comes into the world alone, unaccompanied 
by nest-mates ; for as it requires the exclusive care and attention of 
its foster-parents, which (in general) have enough to do to provide 
for the almost insatiate cravings of their nurseling, means have been 
ordained for ridding it of the incumbrance of any fellow claimants. 
We have seen that the parent Cuckoo effects this object to a certain 
extent, but often incompletely ; so that its agency, very commonly, 
amounts only to reducing the brood of legitimate occupants of the 
nest, and consequently of diminishing the labour that devolves on its 
own offspring—the astonishing feat of ejecting every nest-compa- 
nion. 
This extraordinary fact was, I believe, first ascertained by the 
celebrated Dr. Jenner; “who,” as Wilson remarks, “has since 
risen to immortal celebrity in a much nobler pursuit, and to whose 
genius and humanity the whole human race are under everlasting 
obligations.” The process is thus described by Mr. Selby :—Speak- 
ing of the Cuckoo’s egg in the nest of the Meadow Pipit, that gen- 
tleman asserts that “as the same period of incubation is common to 
both birds, the eggs are hatched nearly together, which no sooner 
takes place than the young Cuckoo proceeds instinctively to eject its 
young companions and any remaining eggs from the nest. To effect 
this object it contrives to work itself under its burden (the back, at 
this early age, being provided with a peculiar depression between 
the shoulders), and, shuffling backwards to the edge of the nest, by 
a jerk rids itself of the incumbrance ; and the operation is repeated 
till, the whole being thrown over, it remains sole possessor, This 
particular tendency prevails for about ten days, after which the hol- 
low space between the shoulders is filled up ; and when prevented 
from accomplishing its purpose till the expiration of that time, as if 
conscious of inability, it suffers its companion to remain unmolested.” 
This narrative appears to be drawn up from those of Dr. Jenner and 
Col. Montagu, and may be verified by any one who can obtain a 
Cuckoo at the proper age. . The story of the tempcrary depression 
between the shoulders, however, has no foundation, except in the 
attitude which the bird necessarily assumes. 
Mr. Ord likewise suggests, and with judgment, as will presently 
appear, notwithstanding the positive assertion of Dr. Jenner, that 
“there must have been some mistake in the facts related by that 
observant naturalist on the subject of the Cuckoo ; for I am unwil- 
