212 NATURAL HISTORY 



endued with a more enlarged faculty of dis- 

 cerning what species are suitable and con- 

 generous nursing-mothers for its disre- 

 garded eggs and young, and may deposit 

 them only under their care, this would be 

 adding wonder to wonder, and instancing, 

 in a fresh manner, that the methods of Pro- 

 vidence are not subjected to any mode or 

 rule, but astonish us in new lights, and in 

 various and changeable appearances. 



What was said by a very ancient and 

 sublime writer concerning the defect of na- 

 tural affection in the ostrich, may be well 

 applied to the bird we are talking of: 



" She is hardened against her young ones, 

 *' as though they were not hers : 



" Because God hath deprived her of wis- 

 " dom, neither hath he imparted to her iin- 

 " derstandingT* 



Query. Does each female cuckoo lay but 

 one egg in a season, or does she drop seve- 

 ral in different nests according as opportu- 

 nity offers ? I am, &c. 



• Job. xxxix. 16, 17- 



