4696 THE ZooLocist—NoveMBER, 1875. 
degree of interest, and it very soon became apparent that one of them was 
not only larger but a different bird altogether, and I very naturally sup- 
posed it to be a young cuckoo; and this supposition was fully confirmed by 
the ejectment of the four smaller and weaker individuals, which I found 
one morning dead outside the nest, and I also noticed that an old cuckoo 
was often in the vicinity, and its appearance helped to confirm the sup- 
position that the egg is not entirely abandoned after being laid by the 
parent cuckoo. ‘The little fellow grew rapidly and soon filled the nest, as 
the foster-parent was most indefatigable in her exertions to feed the wide- 
mouthed and apparently ever-hungry usurper, although her own natural 
brood had perished in her presence. One day or going to the nest, which 
was in the heather beneath a furze bush, I found the nestling in an 
unusual agitation, hissing and chirping in an extraordinary manner, and 
when I put my hand towards it, it came out at me very fiercely, jumping at 
my leg as if it meant mischief, provided it had the power, and on putting it 
back into the nest again I found it had no intention of staying there any 
longer. I watched for some time, thinking the titlark would hear its cries, 
for previouly it was very solicitous about the comfort of its charge; but no 
titlark appearing, I conjectured it had been killed in some way or another, 
and that the poor cuckoo was suffering from hunger, and I was somewhat 
grieved that I was obliged to leave it in that condition, not knowing how to 
supply its wants. In the evening I went to the spot where I left it in the 
morning, intending to take home the little orphan if it was still there; but 
imagine my surprise when, on a low bush near, I saw it, with quivering 
wings, being fed by arobin! I did not see the titlark again, but many 
times I saw the robin feeding its adopted child, which I believe it continued 
to do till the cuckoo could provide for itself. Several persons to whom 
I pointed out this case of adoption can confirm the truth of my observations 
if a shadow of a doubt exists in the mind of any one.—G. B. Corbin. 
Late Breeding of the Wood Pigeon.—As I was walking in a wood near 
Naburn, not far from York, on the 30th of September, I found a wood 
pigeon’s nest containing two young birds, which appeared to be about ten 
days old. Again, on the 2nd of October, a friend of mine, Mr. Ashby, 
found another nest of the same kind, which contained two eggs that were 
not at all sat upon, although the bird flew off as he was ascending the‘ tree. 
Is not this rather late for the breeding of the wood pigeon ?—Joseph E. 
Gripper ; 20, Bootham, York, October 5, 1875. 
White Partridge near Kingsbridge.—A white partridge was shot near 
here a short time since. ‘Two years since two white partridges were shot 
about four miles distant from where this one has now been killed. They 
were all birds of the year: beak, legs and claws white; eyes dark, or of the 
usual colour, Another was shot on the 14th instant near here.—Richard 
P. Nicholls ; October 19, 1875. 
