37 



of the hedge sparrow, or other small bird, the foster-parent 

 rears the young of the intruder to the destruction of its own 

 offspring, for the eggs are thrown out of the nest, by the 

 young cuckoo. 



It is curious also, that when two cuckoo-eggs, are depo- 

 sited and hatched, the stronger bird ejects the weaker, and 

 remains sole possessor of the nest. 



"Ayoungcuckoo was hatched in the nest of a water-wag- 

 tail ; after it had quitted the nest, we observed the singular 

 manner, in which it was fed by its foster-parent ; the young 

 bird remained squatted on the ground, and in that position, 

 with its head thrown backwards, and gaping with its mouth, 

 received the wag-tail on its back, who liberally supplied it 

 with worms and insects." W. 



GENUS VIII. 

 YUNX. 



Bill short, roundish, pointed; nostrils concave, 

 naked ; tongue three times the length of the bill, slen- 

 der, and armed on the point, with a horny substance; 

 tail of ten flexible feathers ; toes two backwards, two 

 forwards. 



1. TORQUILLA. WRYNECK. 



Y. Grisea fusco nigricanteque varia ; abdomine ru- 

 fescente-albo maculis nigricantibus ; rectricibus 

 maculis striis fasciisque nigris undulatis. 

 Shaw. 



Bill three quarters .of an inch long ; irides yellowish; 



