294 ' Mr. Blackwall on the 



interesting and instructive one, and I regret that I have not had the means 

 which health and favorable circumstances might have supplied, for 

 pursuing it more satisfactorily. 



C. Heineken. 



P. S. Since closing the above communication, the larva of a Blatta 

 Madercs has reproduced both antenna:, moulting into itspwjoa state at the 

 same time. I had long ago endeavoured in vain to bring about the re- 

 production of one or both antenna in Blattce, Forficulce, Jcrydia, and 

 some other insects, (with the Oniscides it is readily accomplished, but as 

 they conceal themselves, I cannot ascertain whether it be connected with 

 moulting ;) they had all, however, reached their perfect state. Lately I 

 amputated both the antennae of several larvtB and pup(S of the B. Ma- 

 derce, and one larva has moulted and reproduced them, (small, short, but 

 perfect,) as stated above ; at a future opportunity I hope to enter further 

 upon the subject. 



Art. XXXVI. Facts relating to the Natural History of the 

 Cuckoo. By John Blackwall, Esq., F. L. S., 6^c., in a 

 Letter to the Editor. 



In the Gentleman's Magazine for April, 1806, two instances are 

 recorded of young Cuckoos having been occasionally fed by large num- 

 bers of birds of the same species as their foster parents. It is stated that 

 one of these nestlings was sometimes supplied with nourishment by 

 upward of twenty Titlarks, and that the other frequently received similar 

 attentions from forty-eight Wagtails. From these facts the writer of the 

 article concludes that birds which have the care of young Cuckoos are 

 not always able to provide them with a sufficiency of food, and that on 

 such occasions they procure the assistance of their neighbours of the same 

 kind as themselves. 



Colonel Montagu, in the Supplement to the Ornithological Dictionary, 



