1 62 Campbell, Cuckoos, Ejection of Foster-Parents' Chicks. [, J"j3n. 



and its head and neck thrust well forward to preserve the balance. 

 Small sticks, bits of earth, and tiny apples put in the nest were 

 as summarily ejected when the Cuckoo had recovered from its 

 first exertions. The next day, the bird having grown consider- 

 ably and the primary quills beginning to sprout, it was not 

 sensitive to any strange objects put into the nest. 



Another opportunity came of observing the same process in 

 December, iqi4, when a nest of the Wattle-Bird {AnthochcBra 

 canmculaia) was found, containing one egg of the Honey-eater 

 with one egg of the Pallid Cuckoo {Cuculus pallidns). The Cuckoo 

 hatched during the early morning of the 6th, 40 hours before the 

 young Wattle-Bird appeared from its shell. The young parasite 

 was sensitive the first day. The touch of a straw caused it to 

 wriggle like a wrestler for " a position," but it was evident that 

 to shoulder the large egg was at present beyond its powers. The 

 next day passed. The Cuckoo, being constantly supplied with 

 food, rapidly gained weight until that evening, when the Wattle- 

 Bird hatched ; the nestlings were similar in size. On the 8th the 

 Cuckoo was getting ready for action ; a touch with the finger or 

 a vibration of the nest would cause it to try a " hold." Several 

 times it got the young Wattle-Bird squarely on its back, but, 

 beyond raising its burden and propping itself well against the 

 side of the nest, it appeared incapable of anything. The missing 

 factor seemed to be in the failure of a grip for the wings. These 

 would circle right and left in endeavouring to seize the side of the 

 nest for a purchase. But, as the nest measured 4 inches across 

 at its widest part, and the bird was only 2| inches from tip to tip, 

 the proposition was, as yet, too much. 



On the gth the Cuckoo was in action many times. It could 

 raise its victim half-way to the top and get a grip of the side of 

 the nest with one " arm " at a time, but not with both together. 

 Every movement of the young Wattle-Bird for every time the 

 old birds came with food was a signal for a fresh attempt. Plainly, 

 I thought, the game was up. The Wattle-Bird was growing 

 rapidly, and, from its distended abdomen, seemed to be getting 

 more attention than the Cuckoo. It was now about half an ounce 

 the heavier of the two. besides which it could sometimes fend for 

 itself and wriggle out of the hold of its adversary. It certainly 

 looked as if both would have to live together and put up with 

 each other's company. The nest being fully 2^ inches deep and 

 the edge being a broad platform of twigs, an inch in width, 

 sloping inwards and not outwards, the whole surroundings were 

 such that it seemed an impossibility for the Cuckoo to eject its 

 companion. By the evening of the nth, however, the deed was 

 done, and the chick of the rightful owner lay dead beneath the 

 nest. 



These opportunities corroborate some remarks I have made 

 previously in The Emu * on " Observations on the Rearing of a 



* Emu, vol. vi., pp. 120-126. 



