THE CUCKOO. ' 241 



of the Cuckoo, which looked a much less de- 

 veloped creature. The Cuckoo's legs, however, 

 seemed very muscular ; and it appeared to feel 

 about with its wings, which were absolutely 

 featherless, as with hands, the ' spurious wing' 

 (unusually large in proportion), looking like a 

 spread-out thumb. The most singular thing of 

 all was the direct purpose with which the blind 

 little monster made for the open side of the nest, 

 the only part where it could throw its burthen 

 down the bank." 



Notwithstanding the objections put forward 

 by sceptics, it is impossible, after reading the 

 evidence of the above-named independent ob- 

 servers, to doubt that the young Cuckoo is 

 capable of doing all that has been attributed to 

 it in the way of ejectment. But it is still very 

 desirable that some competent anatomist should 

 examine and report upon the arrangement and 

 development of the nerves and muscles, which 

 must differ very considerably from those which 

 are to be found at the same age in the young of 

 other insessorial birds, 



R 



