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The hedge- fparrow's neff. mud be found with the 

 proper eggs in it, which mould be deftroyed by the 

 cuckow, at the time {he introduces her (ingle egg*., 



The neft mould then be examined at a proper 

 diftance from day to day, during the hedge- fparrow's 

 incubation, as alfo the motions of the fofter parent at- 

 tended to, particularly in feeding the young cuckow-, 

 till it is able, to fliift for itielf. 



As I have little doubt that the lafr. mentioned cir= 

 cumftance will appear decifive to many, without 

 the others which I have required, it may be pro- 

 per to give my reafons, why I cannot confider. it. 

 alone, as fufficient. 



There is fomething in the. cry of a neftling for food^ 

 which affects all kinds of birds, almoh: as much as 

 that of an infant,, for the fame purpofe, excites the 

 companion of every human hearer *f. 



I have taken four young ones from a hen fkylark,.. 

 and placed- in their room five neftling nightingales,. 

 as well as. five. wrens,, the greater part of which were*- 

 reared by the foifer parent. 



It can hardly in this experiment be contended, that 

 the fkylark miftook them for. her own nefllings, be* 



* I could alfo with that the following experiment was tried,, 

 When a hedge-fparrcw hath laid all her egg?, a .fvngle one of 

 any other bird, as large as a cuckow, might be introduced, af- 

 ter which if either the neft' was -deferred, or the egg to6 large- 

 to be hatcher, h would afford a ftrorg prtfumptibn- ay;o:;it 

 this prevailing opinion, . I, mull: here alfo take notice, that JV$r», 

 Hunter, F. R. S. who hath diflVcied hen cue kows, in/crms me. 

 that they are not incapacitated from hatching their eggs, as h..u 

 been fuppofed by fome erMthologi-ft's. 



f I, am. perfuaded that a. cuckow is ■ gftener an; orphan, ih.rv 

 any. other neftling, becaufe, from the cuuqfity which prevails 

 with regard to this bird,, the parents are eternally Cfe.ot. 



caufe. 



