igo SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



the subject from Professor Newton, who sub- 

 sequently published a more exhaustive biography of 

 the bird in the Encyclopedia Britannica, ninth 

 edition. 



To enter fully upon the details of this interesting 

 subject, would require more space than we have at 

 our disposal ; we can only glance, therefore, at the 

 general opinions which have been expressed in con- 

 nection with it. 



If the theory of Dr. Baldamus be correct, is it 

 possible to give a reasonable and satisfactory ex- 

 planation of it ? This question has been answered 

 by Professor Newton in the article in Nat^tre to 

 which we have just referred. He says : " Without 

 attributing any wonderful sagacity to the Cuckoo, it 

 does seem likely that the bird which once success- 

 fully deposited her eggs in a Reed Wren's or a 

 Titlark's nest, should again seek for another Reed 

 Wren's or a Titlark's nest (as the case may be) 

 when she had an egg to dispose of, and that she 

 should continue her practice from one season to 

 another. We know that year after year the same 

 migratory bird will return to the same locality, and 

 build its nest in almost the same spot. Though the 



