110 THE CUCKOO. 



THE CUCKOO. 



This tribe of birds have long bills, which are a little 

 crooked ; their toes are placed, two backwards, and 

 two forward ; the tail consists of ten feathers, the out- 

 er ones being only about half as long as those in the 

 middle. They feed chiefly on insects. 



THE COMMON CUCKOO. 



How large is the Common Cuckoo ? 



The Common Cuckoo is fourteen inches long, and 

 two feet in extent. 



What is tha colour of this bird ? 



Its colour along the back is light brown ; the breast 

 and under parts, are white; and the throat is pale 

 grey. The plumage of the young is brown, mixed 

 with black. 



Where is this bird found? 



The Common Cuckoo is found in England, andoth 

 er parts of Europe ; but not in America. 



What is said concerning this bird's nest? 



It is said that this Cuckoo does not build for herself 

 a nest, but that she lays her eggs in the nests of other 

 birds. 



We are indebted to the celebrated Dr. Jenner, for 

 the substance of the following account of this singular 

 bird. 



He states, that during the time when the hedge spar- 

 row is laying her eggs, the Cuckoo goes and deposites 

 hprs among the others, in the nest. This sparrow, for 

 some reason which is unknown, has a habit, while she 

 is sitting, of throwing some of her eggs out of the nest, 

 and of injuring others in such a manner that only two 



