4 6



Post Mortem Examinations.



eggs, and no other creature about the place likely to do such a thing I

came to the conclusion that it was the Cuckoo which had sucked them.


Another thing one would like to know, and that is how many eggs

does a Cuckoo lay ? I remember finding four in nests comparatively near

one another, exactly alike and, as far as I could judge, laid respectively on

the loth, 16th, 19th and 21st of June. The one found on the 16th was

considerably incubated, so it was probably laid a few days earlier. I feel

certain that all these were laid by the same bird. These were all in Hedge-

Sparrows’ nests and were brownish-grey in colour. Of course the bird may

have laid several more, both before and after.


As to the colour of the Cuckoo’s egg resembling that of the foster

parent, as far as my experience goes, they very rarely do so. I have found

a good many, and none of them resembled the foster parent’s egg with the

exception of one I found in a Pied Wagtail’s nest, most of the others were

found in Hedge Sparrow nests and were grey like a Pied Wagtail’s or

brownish grey. I found one once in a Thrush’s nest, another in Chaffinch’s

nest after the young Chaffinchs’ had flown, one or two in Robin’s nests but

not in the least resembling Robin’s eggs, and one in a Tree Pipit’s nest

whose eggs were of the red variety, the Cuckoo’s being grey.


I think, as Mr. Dalgleish remarks, the probability is that the Cuckoo

could not find any suitable nest and was forced to make use of any one she

could find, and in this neighbourhood there never was much choice.


H. Jones (Major).



POST MORTEM EXAMINATIONS.


RULES.


Each bird must be forwarded, as soon after death as possible, carefully packed and post¬

age paid, direct to Mr. Arthur Gill, Lanherne, Bexley Heath, Kent, and must be

accompanied by a letter containing the fullest particulars of the case, and a fee

of 1/- for each bird. If a reply by post is required a fee of 2/6 must be enclosed.

Domestic poultry, pigeons, and Canaries can only be reported on by post.


Bkue Breasted Waxbiee. (The Hon. Mary C. Hawke). The bird died

of apoplexy.


CockaTIEL. (Miss Drummond). The bird died of concussion of the brain

due to direct injury to the skull.


Hanging Parrakeet. (Mr. Tinniswood Miller). Liver disease of long

standing. A hen.


Answered by post :


Mr. Deed.


Mr. Arthur.



Arthur Giee.



