HONE Y~ G UIDES. 445 



same number of eggs that she left. It is from this cause one fre- 

 quently sees pieces of egg-shell surrounding the nests where Cuckoos 

 have deposited their progeny. This action on the part of the birds 

 denotes perfect reasoning powers, and consequently real intelligence. 

 What say the great philosophers to it, who refuse this faculty to 

 animals ? When she has thus left her eggs, the female comes several 

 times to see that her progeny are well cared for, and does not leave 

 the neighbourhood till she is assured that such is the case. Thus 

 she is not quite so free from solicitude about the welfare of her young 

 as one at first thinks. Laying her eggs at considerable intervals, 

 she would find that to cover eggs and raise a family at the same 

 time are incompatible, for the latter duty involves frequent absences 

 which would destroy the eggs, to which, during incubation, an equal 

 and constant temperature is necessary. It is not then indifference, 

 but thought, that causes her to confide to others her maternal cares. 

 The young Cuckoo is no sooner hatched than it employs its infant 

 strength to get rid of the true children of the foster-parents, in order 

 to be the only one to profit by their attentions ; so it forces itself 

 under the frail occupants of the nest, gets them on its back — where 

 it holds them by means of its raised wings— and precipitates them 

 one after another from the nest. The mother, though thus cruelly 

 treated in return for her affection, generally retains her love for this 

 perfidious child of her adoption, and provides for all its wants until 

 the time of its departure. Sometimes, however, she is so angry at the 

 loss of her progeny, that she brings no nourishment to the adopted 

 child forced upon her, and lets it die of starvation. 



The European Cuckoo {Cuculus canorus, Fig. 172) we are all 

 familiar with, the other species of this family do not visit Europe. 



Honey-guides or Indicators (Indicatores) have their place next to 

 Cuckoos. These birds inhabit the interior of Africa, India, and 

 Borneo. They feed on insects, and especially delight in the pups of 

 bees ; they employ very curious manoeuvres in order to procure them, 

 which denote perfect intelligence. When one of these birds discovers 

 a hive, it endeavours to attract the attention of the first person it 

 meets by frequently-repeated cries. When observed, it proceeds to 

 fly, and leads thus for great distances till it reaches the place where 

 the hive is, which it takes care to point out by every means in its 

 power. Whilst the honey is being taken, the bird remains in the 

 neighbourhood, observing all that passes, and when that is accom- 

 plished, it approaches to reap the fruits of its trouble. The bees 

 make very little buzzing, but flutter round, trying to sting it, but its 

 skin is impervious to their efforts. Often, however, the despoiled 



