492 THE LIVING ANIMALS OF THE WORLD 



The kakapo nests in holes under 

 trees and rocks, laying two or three 

 eggs, which, like those of the Parrots, 

 are white. 



The natives take advantage of 

 its feeble powers of flight, hunting it 

 on foot by torchlight, aided by dogs, 

 which, it is said, are not seldom 

 seriously wounded by the powerful 

 bill. 



When the breeding-season is 

 over, these birds appear to live in 

 small communities, four or five 

 occupying the same hole. They are 

 apparently gifted with some fore- 

 sight, inasmuch as they lay up a store 

 of food, to be drawn upon during bad 

 weather. 



CucKoo.s AND Plantain-eaters 



Phtto b) C. Rdd] lUlihaui, N.B. 



MACAW 



T/is fliir/it oj tlieic gargeouily clad birds is I'erv poiverful 



The Cuckoo Tribe is somewhat 

 unfortunate in that the numerous 

 members of which it is composed 

 are completely overshadowed by the 

 prominence which has been given 

 to the Common Cuckoo. Few birds, 

 indeed, have managed to secure so 

 much attention, the poet in particular 

 having sung its praises without stint. 

 This enthusiasm undoubtedly is but 

 an echo of the general popular senti- 

 ment, for there are few birds to 

 which the British extend a more 

 hearty welcome, its well-known cry 

 possessing a peculiar charm for lovers 

 of the coimtr)'. Coming in April, and leaving again in July, its stay is of the 

 shortest; but during the greater part of this time its whereabouts may generally be known 

 by tlie familiar call " cuckoo, cuckoo," though imdergoing certain characteristic changes as the 

 months glide by. 



Apart from its song, one of the most interesting things concerning the cuckoo is the fact 

 that it goes about in disguise — the disguise of the ass in the lion's skin with a vengeance; 

 fur it is clothed in the garb ol that terror of the countr\'side, the sparrow-hawk. Nay, more; 

 it has also most successfully imitated the flight of that bogy; and this to frighten little 

 birds — not, however, for the mere purpose of creating consternation amongst them, but for far 

 more sinister ends. 



Somehow or another, in cuckoo society, the rearing of a family is a responsibility which 

 is utterly repudiated. Great pains seem to have been taken to evade this duty, and yet to 

 ensure the continuity of their distinguished house. The oviparous method of reproduction, 

 which obtains in the feathered world, has been turned to good account — in fact, everything 

 depends upon this. It seems tu have suggested itself as far more convenient to drop an egg 

 here and there inti.i a neighbuur's nursery, and leave the work of bringing it to life to 

 the owners thereof P)ut to carry out this s)'stem of distributing foundlings requires tact, 



