3470 The Zoologist— April, 1873. 



whatever that any one of the eggs of which such accurate measure- 

 ments are given were laid by the cuckoo, and 1 totally disbelieve 

 that the cuckoo's eggs ever resemble those of the redbacked shrike 

 or of the buntings. 



An article appeared in the ' Field,' quite as well authenticated as 

 anything that Dr. Baldamus has given us, attested by Herr Kiessel 

 and two highly credible witnesses, who treated with contempt the 

 notion that they could possibly be mistaken, knowing well the 

 nightjar as well as the cuckoo: in this article it was affirmed that 

 the cuckoo lays her eggs and hatches them herself upon the ground. 

 What does Mr. Smith say to this from his painstaking German 

 friends ? " I beg to state without hesitation that tiecer by any 

 possibility does our British cuckoo either build a nest of her own 

 or incubate her eggs on the ground." 



W. C. Hewitson. 



Oatlands. 



[I exceedingly regret the exhibition of acrimonious feeling on this 

 question, which is certainly one of the most iiitcrostiug ever introduced 

 to the notice of ornithologists : true naturalists, those whose experience 

 best enables them to form a correct judgment, and whose opinions therefore 

 are most entitled to respect, frequently hold aloof from discussions of this 

 kind from a dread of being drawn into a personal controversy : I know this 

 was the case in 1868, and that in consequence the question collapsed : 1 

 fear a similar collapse now. Controversialists seem to ignore the fact that 

 if not established on incoutestible evidence, a theory, however specious, must 

 fall into oblivion ; and if so supported no argument can prevail against it. 

 As bearing on this question, although collaterally and not directly, I may 

 perhaps be allowed to state that it has been repeatedly stated, and I believe 

 the statement remains unchallenged, that more than one foreign species of 

 cuckoo lays in crows' nests, and that the eggs are invanahlij coloured like 

 those of tlie crows. — Edward Xcwman.] 



The Theory of Dr. Baldamus as regards the Cuckoo'' s Eggs. 

 By Geokgk Dawson Rowlky, Esq., M.A. 



The Rev. A. C. Smith having requested me to say something 

 upon the Raldamine theory of the colouring of the eggs of Cuculus 

 canorus, in the March number of the ' Zoologist,' I make a few 

 final remarks. 



