JUNE. 



173 



A diversity of opinion^arises as to whether the two eggs were 

 deposited by the same Cuckoo, but the opinion of Mr. Craig and also 

 the writer is that theyjwere deposited byjdifferent Cuckoos. The eggs 

 were different in colour, size,*and shape, but it must not be assumed 

 from this that I am of opinion that the same identical bird could not 

 lay eggs quite as different in marking, colour, and shape. 



No. 3. 



The young culprit who ejected the young birds and eggs is here shewn living in harmony 

 with a young Hedge Sparrow. It will be observed that the young Cuckoo has made 

 considerable progress since the last photograph was taken, and would now be about eleven 

 days old, by which time the desire to eject anything seems to cease. They were found 

 lying snugly ensconsed close together in the soft grass at the side of the nest. In that 

 position this photo was taken. 



It is rare that the Meadow Pipit Iays2a clutch of eggs numbering 

 less than four, and this being so, it is reasonable to suppose that the 

 Cuckoo (or Cuckoos) when depositing the eggs had taken away one 

 or more of the Pipits, leaving five in all, {that is including the two 

 Cuckoo's eggs. 



On June 6th the eggs were still unhatched, but two days later 

 both the Cuckoos i were out of the shells, and one of the Pipit's eggs 

 was found lying outside the? nest, and the other remaining Pipit's (as 

 Mr. Craig had already broken one of the eggs only two remained) 



