Natural History of the Cuckoo. 296 



calls in question the accuracy of these observations, and conjectures that 

 the object of birds in thus assembling about nesthng Cuckoos is not to 

 administer to their necessities but to assault and persecute them. 



I have been recently favoured with a communication from Mr. Eaton 

 of York, which places the subject under consideration in a somewhat 

 different light from that in which it has been viewed by any preceding 

 Ornitholigist. Mr. Eaton informs me that in the summer of 1827, Ca]p- 

 tain Porter, who resides near the city of York, discovered a Hedge War- 

 bler's nest in his garden, containing a young Cuckoo only, the nestling 

 Hedge Warblers, all of which had been ejected by this formidable in- 

 truder, being found dead near the spot. The nest and its occupant 

 were taken by the Captain and put into a cage which was placed on the 

 summit of a pole in the garden. In this situation the foster parents 

 speedily visited their captive charge, and resuming their attentions, 

 continued to feed it with great assiduity ; but their most strenuous exer- 

 tions failing to satisfy its increasing voracity, a third Hedge Warbler 

 was induced to co-operate with them in the arduous undertaking. As 

 the young Cuckoo advanced in growth, a still more ample provision of 

 food became requisite, and a Spotted Flycatcher lent its assistance also in 

 supplying the urgent demands of its appetite. 



It may be here remarked, that the purpose of these birds in visiting 

 the young Cuckoo, from the numerous observations which were made 

 upon them, and the favourableness of the situation and circumstances 

 for ensuring accuracy, could not be mistaken. 



I shall now proceed to notice the most novel and important fact de- 

 tailed in Mr. Eaton's interesting narration, namely, the assistance afforded 

 by the Spotted Flycatcher. " How," Mr. Eaton inquires, " could a 

 " pair of Hedge Warblers prevail upon a bird of a different species to 

 " contribute to the support of their supposititious offspring?" Were the 

 case as the question necessarily supposes it to have been, it certainly 

 would present a great difficulty ; for the feathered tribes, though capable 

 in some instances of connecting vocal sounds with the ideas intended to 

 be signified by them, do not possess an artificial language : but I am 

 inclined to think that the Hedge Warblers did not intentionally exercise 

 any influence whatever over their coadjutor. 



Nestling Cuckoos, it is well known, are extremely clamorous when 



