AVES. 367 



eggs has created an interest and curiosity to ascertain its history. It has 

 been ascertained without doubt that the European cuckoo and several 

 foreign species deposit their eggs in the manner we have alluded to, not 

 attending afterwards to the fate of the egg nor to the after-rearing of the 

 young. In choosing the nest for the reception of its eggs, it has been 

 remarked that those of insect-eating birds (like itself) chiefly are selected. 

 The young bird is endowed with a remarkable feeling to get rid of its 

 companions in the nest, which is continued, it is said, for twelve days ; after 

 which time, if it has been unsuccessful in its efforts, it remains quiet and 

 at peace with its neighbors. It is attended to for a certain time by its 

 foster parents, and afterwards left to itself The young remain in the sum- 

 mer longer than the old birds, as we have frequently seen them late in 

 August, at which time they utter a note or whistle very dissimilar to the 

 cuck-oo of the love season." 



The cuckoo is spread over the whole of Europe, decreasing in numbers 

 in the north. It subsists entirely on insects. 



Several other species have been discovered in Asia and Africa, very 

 similar in appearance to the common bird, and they are supposed to be 

 also similar in habits and history. 



Several small African species, sometimes called golden cuckoos (Chalcites 

 auratus, and others), have very splendid golden-green plumage, and are the 

 most beautiful of this family. One of these is worthy of special notice 

 from the fact that it was named by the celebrated naturalist and traveller 

 Le Vaillant in honor of a faithful Hottentot servant who accompanied him 

 during one of his expeditions, and continues to be known by his name, as 

 " Klaas' cuckoo" (C klaasii). 



Order IV. Columb^, Pigeons and Doves. 



Contains an assemblage of birds of elegant forms, and much isolated in 

 appearance and general characters from all other birds. They are said to 

 live almost invariably in pairs, and one of their chief characters is that 

 they feed their young by disgorging the food previously swallowed by the 

 parent. 



All the species are known by the names of pigeons and doves, and they 

 inhabit all the countries of the world. 



Fam. 1. C0LUMBID.E (only family). 



Sub-fam. 1. Treronince, or Tree Pigeons. Bill short, ends of both man- 

 dibles knobbed or thickened; wings moderate, strong; tail broad, truncate ; 

 tarsi very short, generally feathered, feet robust. Size rather large ; colors 



gay- 



The birds of this sub-family are restricted to India and the Asiatic 

 islands. Many of them are large and showy, living entirely in trees and 

 mostly found in the depths of the forests, on the fruits obtained in which 

 they subsist. 



The aromatic pigeon {Treroji aromatica), an Indian species, is remark- 



5Y1 



