C U C K O W. 511 



her eqcrs in the abfence of the bird, in whofe neft flie intends t<> 

 depofit ; as it has been known, that on fight of one oftbefe, a Red- 

 breaft, and its mate, jointly attacked it, on its approaching the 

 .neft, putting her to flight; and fo effectually drove her away, as 

 jiot to dare to return -f. Several experiments have been made, to 

 afcertain whether the Cuckow deftroys, or eats, the eggs which 

 •flie finds in the neft: in which fhe depofits her own ; the refult 

 proved the contrary ; for a Cuckow's egg has been often found 

 along with others, which truly belonged to the neft ; on all of which 

 the bird has fat ; and, in this cafe, if the number of eggs proves 

 •too much for this little nurfe to brood conveniently, (he fre- 

 quently deftroys one after another; and not only her own, but 

 iometimes even theparajite egg alfo, if the whim takes her; and, 

 on the contrary, the bird often proves a mother and ftep-mother 

 at the fame time %, by bringing into life the whole brood. 



It is fuppofed, that there are more male Cuckows than females ■, 

 fince two are often feen in difpute, where a third has been in fight ; 

 .which,. no doubt 3 was of the oppofite fex. Mr. Pennant obferved, 

 that five male birds were caught in a trap in one feafon; and I can 

 fay myfelf, that out of at leafthalf a dozen, that I have attended 

 to., my chance has never directed me to a female \\. As to the ex- 

 ternal marks, they have been noticed above; anditlsto be wifhed, 

 that future obfervers may determine, whether our obfervations 

 have rife only in chance, or are founded on the general circum- 

 ftance. The young birds are obferved to be helplefs and foolifh, 

 for a great length of time, but may be, and often are, brought up 



*-Hift. des otf. vol. vi. p. 332. f Id. p. 329. %'Hlft. des oif. vi. pp.325. 309. 

 :J| I believe that the male birds are more liable to be (hot, their note dire&ing i- 

 the gunner where to take aim ; while the female is fecured by her filence. 



5 tame, 



