iz6 CUCKOO 



Mr. M. Capper, of Shirley, informs me that he found on 

 Shirley Common, in the nest of a Meadow Pipit, two 

 Cuckoo's eggs of dissimilar colouring and size, and there- 

 fore probably deposited by two different birds. 



The eggs vary considerably in colour and markings, 

 and generally resemble those of the bird in whose nest 

 they are deposited. This is almost invariably an insect- 

 eating species. In our own country the nests of Pipits 

 and Wagtails are generally selected, although the nest of 

 the Hedge Sparrow is often chosen as the nursery for a 

 young Cuckoo. 



