134: THE LIFE OF A BIRD. 



factorily stated ; and to the real facts ascertained 

 on this subject our attention may well be claimed 

 for their singularity and interest. 



It is not easy to explain the cause, but it is an 

 ascertained fact, that the cuckoo builds no nest of 

 her own. Statements have been repeatedly made, 

 in which it would appear that the nest of this bird 

 had been actually discovered ; but all such ac- 

 counts fall to the ground when examined with 

 care. Other birds, not unlike the cuckoo in their 

 appearance, have been mistaken for it, or insuf- 

 ficient evidence has been accepted. All natural- 

 ists appear now agreed as to the fact that this bird 

 has not the nest-building faculty. It has there- 

 fore to rely upon the industry of another to pro- 

 vide a suitable home for its young ; and were we 

 to be the apologists of this bird, we might even 

 maintain that, conscious of its own inability to 

 supply its wants, or to undertake the task of its 

 rearing and education, the cuckoo seeks to place 

 the germ of her future offspring where she knows 

 it will be safe, and where that will be done for it 

 which she is unable to perform. Be this as it 

 may, the bird selects a nest already formed for 

 the deposition of her egg, and here, either with 



