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THE CUCKOO AND ITS VARIETIES. 



This singular bird, which is sowewhat less than a 

 pigeon, shaped like a magpie, and of a greyish colour, 

 is distinguished from every other by having round pro- 

 minent nostrils. Though there is the greatest mono- 

 tony in the voice of the cuckoo, yet its notes never 

 fail to impart a pleasing sensation to the susceptible 

 mind, from knowing it to be the harbinger of spring, 

 as it migrates into a warmer clime during the severities 

 of winter, and does not return until the country is en- 

 livened by the verdant appearance with which that 

 season is crowned. 



The female cuckoo may be considered not only as an 

 indolent bird, but as a depredator upon the property of 

 those of a different species ; for it never takes the pains 

 of forming an abode for its young, but plunders the 

 nests either of the water-wagtail or hedge-sparrow, de- 

 stroys their eggs, and substitutes its own in their place. 

 It seldom lays but one at a time, which is speckled, 

 and resembles the blackbird's in size; and, when the 

 little architect returns to its abode, it has not sagacity 

 enough to discover the cheat, but nurtures the egg of 

 her insidious invader with the same care and tender- 

 ness as if it was her own, and, when the young one is 

 hatched, does not discover the cheat. 



It was once doubted whether the cuckoo was carnivo- 

 rous; but Reaumur was at the pains of breeding up seve- 

 ral, and found they would neither eat bread or corn, 

 but that flesh, and insects, were their favourite food. 



When the young bird is fledged, and ready for flight, 

 it for a short time follows its supposed parent in search 

 of food ; but as its appetite for insects increases with its 

 age, it soon takes leave of its tender nurse, and goes in 



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