Aud] AND SYMBOLS. 21 



istics. Instead of building a nest for itself, the cuckoo always 

 audaciously deposits her eggs in the nests of some of the smaller 

 insectivorous birds, generally placing only one egg in each nest. 

 The egg of the cuckoo is comparatively of small size, so that 

 the small birds into whose nest the intruder is thus foisted, are 

 not alarmed at its presence, but hatch it together with their own 

 offspring, and when hatched pay as much attention to the 

 young parasite as if his presence in the nest was perfectly 

 legitimate. The young cuckoo, however, repays all this care 

 with a behaviour which is gross ingratitude ; for as soon as he 

 has acquired sufficient strength, he proceeds in the most busi- 

 ness-like manner to get rid of his foster-brothers, in order to 

 appropriate to the gratification of his own inordinate appetite 

 the whole of the supplies brought by the parent birds. For 

 this purpose he gently insinuates himself under the body of 

 one of the young birds, and by the assistance of his wings, 

 contrives to hoist the unfortunate little animal upon his back, 

 which is furnished with a peculiar depression to enable the 

 latter to rest comfortably in that dangerous position. Having 

 succeeded thus far, the young cuckoo proceeds backwards to 

 the edge of the nest, and then, with a sudden jerk, throws off 

 his burden. In this manner, in the course of a few days, the 

 usurper remains in undisturbed possession of the nest, and 

 secures to himself the entire attention of the birds which he 

 has thus deprived of their legitimate offspring. This care is 

 continued long after the young cupkoo has left the nest. "We 

 see, therefore, that both the audacity and the ingratitude which 

 are the characteristics of this bird are crowned with success. 

 When we reflect upon this singular fact, we cannot fail to be 

 struck by the coincidence that these same qualities are just 

 those which have been such powerful factors in the success of 

 many men. Nor is it less remarkable that there are certain 

 families which Nature has endowed with audacity and ingrati- 

 tude as their most striking peculiarities. The biography of such 

 persons reveals quite plainly that it was owing entirely to these 

 cuckoo-like endowments that success attended them throughout 

 their career. The cuckoo instinct guided them. N. H. 



