Picarice 111 



The eggs are also commonly laid in nests of the Hedge- 

 Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, and Robin, or less frequently 

 elsewhere. With us they are seldom coloured like 

 those of the foster-parent. Two may be found in the 

 same nest, but seem always to be the produce of 

 different hens, if we judge by their colour. It is now 

 certain that the hen Cuckoo often deposits her egg in 

 a nest with her bill, but it does not follow that such 

 is always the case. For the habits of the young 

 Cuckoo, its way of thrusting its nest-mates out to 

 perish, and the curious hollow in the back, so well 

 calculated for the operation, which fills up in less than 

 a fortnight, our readers must turn to the very full 

 accounts in larger books, which will well repay perusal. 



ORDER III. STRIGBS 



This Order contains only one Family, that of the 

 Owls. They have big heads, with thin necks, and 

 large staring eyes ; the bill is rather short and stout 

 and is sharply hooked ; the feet are short and strong, 

 with a reversible outer toe ; the claws are long, curved, 

 sharp, and not uncommonly feathered ; the wings are 

 broad and rounded; a cere or fleshy skin surrounds 

 the base of the bill, though it is often covered with 

 feathers or bristles ; the upper eye-lid shuts over the 

 eye, and not the lower as in birds generally ; the 

 feathering is soft and fluffy, with a curious facial disc 

 round each eye, in most cases quite pronounced ; the 

 female is larger than the male. Owls are more or less 

 nocturnal or fly at dusk ; they feed on small mammals, 

 birds, and insects, and commonly lay white eggs in 

 holes in trees ; the young are helpless and woolly. 



