THE CUCKOO. 251 



birds, the male invariably devotes his attentions to 

 several females, and remains in their company until the 

 eggs are deposited. No such act is observed in the 

 economy of the Cuckoo, for when the eggs are being 

 deposited, I challenge any person to bring proof positive 

 where he, in propria persona, has observed any such 

 (Cuckoo) gathering as is frequently to be seen in the 

 haunts of the various polygamous birds in the nesting 

 season. 



Another reason why I reject this theory is because 

 polygamous birds are, as a rule — a, suitably armed for 

 fighting for the females : no such provision is observed 

 in the male Cuckoo, b, Because male polygamous birds, 

 as a rule, exhibit the most gorgeous colours, while the 

 females are of dull and inconspicuous ones : male and 

 female Cuckoos are but slightly different in colouring 

 matter, c. Because in polygamous birds the females 

 largely exceed the males in numbers : in Cuckoo.s, as far 

 as I have observed them, the males and females occur in 

 equal quantities. I am well aware that many urge that 

 one intercourse with the male bird is sufficient to cause 

 all the eggs deposited by the female to prove fertile ; 

 but this, as far as I can learn, is not yet proved, and if 

 true, I most flatly deny to be polygamy in the strict 

 sense of the word. Therefore, from what I have rumi- 

 nated over and observed of the habits of the Cuckoo, I 

 am convinced that this species, as I have before stated, 

 p£.jrs soon after its arrival, and lives in pairs until the 

 eggs are deposited, when the ties which previously bound 

 them together cease their mysterious power, and the 

 birds lead a wandering solitary life until the retiring sun 

 bids them seek their southern home. 



Nature has not intended the Cuckoo to build a nest 

 but influences it to lay its eggs in the nests of other 



