PSYCHOLOGICAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS 277 



(3.) Reproduction and nutrition, we have seen, vary in- 

 versely. The love-impulses wane before those of hunger. 

 Now there is no doubt that even among greedy birds the 

 cuckoos hold a very high rank. They are remarkably in 

 satiable, hungry, gluttonous. Even the anatomical conditions 

 asserted by some to be important, the swollen low-set stomach, 

 may have their influence in the cuckoo, which has certain other 

 pecuharities, though the same conditions may be overcome in 

 other birds which remain perfectly natural. It might almost be 

 suggested, that the habit of feeding so largely as cuckoos do on 

 hairy caterpillars, whose indigestible hairs form a fretwork in 

 the gizzard, may also have its irritant, gizzard-fretting, dyspeptic 

 influence. But the main point is, that in a bird with so strong 

 nutritive impulses, it is little wonder the reproductive emotions 

 are degenerate. There is too much hunger and gluttony for 

 the higher development of love. 



(4.) The reproductive relations of the sexes are at a lower 

 level than polygamy, or rather polyandry. The males and 

 females do not pair in the strict sense, there is no keeping 

 company, though the males are said to be passionate during 

 the breeding season. Nor is the female in its adult state 

 externally distinguishable from the male. 



(5.) The reproductive organs of both sexes are very small 

 for the size of the bird. There is said to be a diminished 

 blood supply. Little wonder then that the reproductive emo- 

 tions are in degree slightly developed. The sluggish parturition, 

 at intervals of six to eight days, is also striking and significant. 



(6.) The eggs are remarkably small. While the adult 

 cuckoo is some four times the size of an adult skylark, the 

 eggs are about the same size. The American cuckoo, w^hich is 

 only occasionally parasitic, lays full-sized eggs. It is true that 

 the size of an egg is not always proportionate to the size of the 

 bird ; but it is reasonable to believe, that when a bird for con- 

 stitutional conditions seems to require all it can for itself, then 

 it will have less to spare for its reproductive sacrifice. To say 

 that the small size of the cuckoo's egg is " an adaptation in 

 order to deceive the small birds," seems to strain the natural 

 selection theory to the breaking point. 



(7.) It has been usual in discussing beginnings to take 

 some cue from the young stages. It is noteworthy, in this light, 

 to emphasise the jealous cruelty of the young form, — a fit pro- 

 phecy of the adult character. In the restlessness of rapid 



