The Natural History of Selborne 181 



Query. Does each female cuckoo lay but one egg in a 

 season, or does she drop several in different nests according 

 as opportunity offers ? x I am, &c. 



It is not likely, on the other hand, that the cuckoo would lay in a ring- 

 dove's nest, because the ring-dove would notice the marked difference in 

 size, and the young ring-doves would also be quite as strong as the young 

 cuckoo, better able to oust it than it would be to oust them. ED. 



1 The cuckoo lays several eggs yearly, dropping them about in different 

 nests as chances offer. ED. 



