260 cuckow. 



number observed in the ovary. The Cuckow first makes its appearance 

 here the middle of April, and, for the most part, leaves us the first week 

 in July;* that is, the old birds, the male coming and going first; for 

 those hatched here the same season stay long after, going away in 

 succession, according as each may be able to take its journey. 



It is not to be wondered that young Cuckows have been mistaken 

 for Hawks, being, for the first season, not unlike the female Kestri!,t 

 but do not gain the note of the adult till the following year. To 

 account for the young Cuckow being alone found in the nest, it was 

 believed that the old one destroyed the eggs laid therein by its owner, 

 before she deposited one of her own ; but the fact is, that the egg of 

 the small bird, and that of the Cuckow, are hatched together, and 

 from the moment the young of the latter is excluded, a propensity to 

 free itself from its companions is manifest, and by means of its wings 

 and tail, when grown strong enough, lifts every thing over the edge 

 of the nest, to fall to the ground, and perish ; and this it is soon able 

 to effect, as the growth is uncommonly rapid. It is no uncommon 

 thing for two eggs of a Cuckow to be laid in the same nest ; in this 

 case, the young cuckows become competitors for possession, and 

 never cease to make efforts, till finally one is victorious. 



The food of the Cuckow consists of beetles, flies, dragon flies, 

 and other insects ; also caterpillars, both smooth and hairy, % besides 

 vegetable matter, § small stones, and snails, with their shells. — 

 Instances have occurred, in which the stomachs of these birds have 

 been lined, or coated, with hairs, || which we suspect to have arisen 

 from those of the Hairy Larvae attaching themselves to it. 



* Mr. Barrington wishes to set aside this fact, and endeavours to prove, that they remain 

 here at all seasons.— Phil. Trans. 62. 299. 304. 



t In the first year scarcely two are seen alike, the bars in some being doubly numerous 

 than in others; and in one sent to me by Mr. Boys, the ground colour was brownish blue ; 

 and not unfrequently a bird is met with at the first coming in spring, in which the ferrugi- 

 nous ground-colour of the first plumage is manifest on the upper parts. 



J The larvse of the Fox Moth (Phal. Rubi) has been found among others. 



§ Small seeds. — Dr. Lamb. || See Berl. Neu. Schrift. i. s. 166. The same as is 



observed in the Carolina and Black-billed Species. 



