AUGUST. 



THE CUCKOO'S FOSTER-PARENTS. 



August 7. Though the old cuckoos left us a 

 month ago, you may still see the young ones clumsily 

 flitting short distances between the hedgerows, each 

 obsequiously followed wherever it goes by one or 

 both of its attentive parents. When small birds have 

 children of their own they lead the way, and by fre- 

 quent imperative call-notes keep their family dutifully 

 following behind; but when they have lavished all 

 their affection upon a monstrous interloper, the 

 positions are reversed. He wanders where he 

 chooses, and they have to keep up with him as best 

 they can, while at the same time rinding food to fill 

 his capacious maw. One might pity them, were they 

 not so obviously proud of and devoted to their 

 charge. Never before had they been blessed with so 

 fine a child ! 



MISPLACED AFFECTIONS. 



Indeed, admiration of the young cuckoo sometimes 

 appears to lead other birds than his deceived foster- 

 parents to feed him ; and certainly in India one 

 young koel cuckoo a jet black bird, with eyes of 



