THE YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO 



as so comical that I made a series from a pair of nestlings to illus- 

 trate it. The birds hatched in a thorn thicket on the river-bank 

 on Mr. Black's lease. Two had left the nest and we knew that the 

 other two would go the next day. I arrived at the lease at nine 

 o'clock on the morning of the first of August, 1901, and made my 

 first study of the series representing the evolution of the Cuckoo. 

 Not a shield had opened on the baby, but on the elder a few were 

 breaking across the back of the head and breast. 



At three o'clock that afternoon only two or three shields 

 around each eye were left on the elder, and the baby was almost 

 feathered. Both of them were clambering around on the edge 

 of the nest, but settled down into it that night and were sheltered 

 by the mother. At nine o'clock on the morning of the second not a 

 shield was to be seen on the elder, and just a few small ones about 

 the eyes of the baby. 



At this point in their careers they climbed all over me and the 

 thorn tree, ate the egg, and posed until I was out of plates. They 

 were the softest of plumage and the sweetest of disposition of 

 any young birds I ever had handled. They had no sense of fear 

 and made no effort to fly. They did not even stand up, lift their 

 wings and try them, as do so many young birds. Bob said, "Well, 

 aren't they 'most too good to be true?" And they were. I can not 

 guarantee that they would be so good for every one, but if any 

 natural-history devotee wishes to try, here is the receipt. 



Use plain common sense. Approach the nest slowly, and when 

 the young begin to cry, imitate them so that they will think 

 you a kindred thing. Always carry suitable food, and the instant 

 any baby opens his mouth, have ready your little paddle well 

 loaded with egg, quite moist, and drop the food carefully into 

 him. Then the others will follow suit. 



Feed them several times, with a half-hour's wait between, to 

 get them accustomed to you. Take them first in the nest, then if 



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