96 THE NATURAL HISTORY [LETT. 



But yet, should it farther appear that this simple bird, when 

 divested of that natural a-ropyr) that seems to raise the kind in 

 general above themselves, and inspire them with extraordinary 

 degrees of cunning and address, may be still endued with a 

 more enlarged faculty of discerning what species are suitable and 

 congenerous nursing-mothers for its disregarded eggs and young, 

 and may deposit them only under their care, this would be 

 adding wonder to wonder, and instancing, in a fresh manner, 

 that the methods of Providence are not subjected to any mode 

 or rule, but astonish us in new lights, and in various and change- 

 able appearances. 



What was said by a very ancient and sublime writer con- 

 cerning the defect of natural affection in the ostrich may be 

 well applied to the bird we are talking of : 



" She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were 

 not hers : 



" Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither Juith He 

 imparted to Jier understanding." (Job xxxix. 16, 17.) 



Does each female cuckoo lay but one egg in a season, or does 

 she drop several in different nests, according as opportunity 

 offers ? 



SELBORNE, Feb. 19, 1770. 



CUCKOOS ECO. 



