344 



THE NATURE BOOK 



and it has not the rapid flight of the 

 bird of prey. Adult Cuckoos have the 

 upper parts of a pale blue grey, whilst 

 the young birds are brown and black 

 barred, and have a spot of white on the 

 nape — another point in which they 

 mimic the Sparrow Hawk. It is for this 

 mimicry, possibly, they have to suffer the 

 mobbing of harmless small birds, though 

 the resemblance may, on the other hand. 



protect them from the attacks of their 

 larger relations ; for the Cuckoo is a 

 comparatively soft and defenceless bird, 

 in spite of the brave show of fight which 

 a half-fledged young one will make when 

 disturbed. Much has been written upon 

 the peculiar domestic economy of this 

 glad chuckling bird, but there are still 

 questions to be answered concerning 

 the varied colour of its eggs. 



Maurice C. H. Bird. 



YOUNG CUCKOO. 



ifh by c'. KtU. ir,sliau: .\.K. 



