94 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



[vol. XIII. 



because had there been two Cuckoos laying during the same 

 period, it is inconceivable that every Meadow-Pipit's nest 

 should have contained one egg of the Cuckoo, and in no 

 single case more than one egg. 



1 am in a position to exhibit to anyone interested, thirty- 

 four Cuckoo's eggs taken from the common during this and 

 last season, twenty-five of which I claim to have been laid 

 by one Cuckoo in the two seasons, six by the second Cuckoo 

 in two seasons, and one each by three other Cuckoos, and 

 after seeing the eggs any authority would corroborate that 

 they were undoubtedly laid as claimed. 



The following summary is an accurate record : — 



Date 



Cuckoos' eggs 



found 



and taken. 



Nest then con- 

 tained 



C = Cuckoo's egg. 



P= Meadow Pipit': 

 egg. 



Incubation. 



Remarks. 



I May 1 8th i C. 



2 May 22nd 



3 May 22 nd 



4 May 2Sth 



5 May 28th 



6 May 31st 



8 June 8th 



9 June I2th 

 10 June 1 2th 



C. & 3 P. 

 C. & 4 P. 



I C. & 3 P. 

 I C. & 4 P. 

 I C. & 4 P. 



7 June 3rd I C. 



I C. & I P. 



I C. & 4 P. 

 I C. 



Fresh 



One day 

 Fresh 



Fresh 

 Fresh 



Fresh 



Fresh 



Fresh 



Eight daj's 

 Fresh 



Pipit never laid to 

 another Pipit's 

 egg given her 

 in exchange for 

 Cuckoo's 



On 20th this nest 

 contained three 

 Pipit's eggs only 



On the 30th nest 

 contained four 

 Pipit's eggs only 



Exchanged egg for 

 that of Sky- 

 Lark to which 

 Pipit laid four 

 eggs 



Exchanged egg for 

 that of Sky- 

 Lark to which 

 Pipit laid three 

 more eggs 



Exchanged egg for 

 that of Sky- 

 Lark, but Pipit 

 never laid 



