54 T H E P I E K I N D. 



The cuckoOj when fledged and fitted for flight, follows its fuppofed 

 parent fon:ie time; but its appetite for infeft food increafing, it quits 

 its fuppofed dam. The little birds of the grove feem to confider the 

 young cuckoo as an enemy i they purfue it wherever it flies, and oblige 

 it to take fhelter in the thickefl: branches of fome neighbouring tree ; 

 the wry-neck, in particular, is adive in the chace. 



Early at the approach of winter, it difappcars, and its paflfage can be 

 traced to no other country. Some fuppofe it lies hid in hollow trees or 

 rocks, where it is faid to have been found naked ; others, that it fceks 

 warmer climates ; but to vAvdt country it retires, or whether it has been 

 ever feen on its journey, is unknown. 



Of this bird there are many kinds in various parts of the world, not 

 only diff^ering in their colours but their fize, to the amount of above thirty, 

 of various notes, fome far from mufical, but fufliciently noify. 



The Hoii'hou of Egypt live principally (if not only) on grafshoppers ; 

 never perch on trees, or fliand on the ground, but fit on bufiies. 



The Cuckoo of the Cape of Good-Hope, called Indicator^ has the cuftom 

 of finding the n ells of wild bees ; and giving notice, morning and night, 

 to thofc who feek the honey, he even redoubles his clamour, flies before 

 them, and leads them on if they linger. After they have taken the hive, 

 they always leave him a portion. The fweets are enclofed in a hive, 

 whole opening is too narrow for him by himfelf to procure them. 



The ^ac-ho of the Weft Indies devours not only infedls, but reptiles, 

 lizards, fnakes, frogs, rats ; fwallow fnakes head foremofl-, and is a bird 

 valuable for its deftruftion of hurtful animals; is naturally half domeftic. 

 Its nefl; has never been feen. Moft of the American cuckoos build and* 

 hatch their own young. 



One is entitled the Laugher ^ from the refemblance of his note. 



O F 



