AVES. 367 
eggs has created an interest and curiosity to ascertain its history. It has 
been ascertained without doubt that the European cuckoo and several 
foreign species deposit their eggs in the manner we have alluded to, not 
attending afterwards to the fate of the egg nor to the after-rearing of the 
young. In choosing the nest for the reception of its eggs, it has been 
remarked that those of insect-eating birds (like itself) chiefly are selected. 
The young bird is endowed with a remarkable feeling to get rid of its 
companions in the nest, which is continued, it is said, for twelve days ; atter 
which time, if it has been unsuccessful in its efforts, it remains quiet ‘and 
at peace with its neighbors. It is attended to for a certain time by its 
foster parents, and afterwards left to itself. The young remain in the sum- 
mer longer than the old birds, as we have frequently seen them late in 
August, at which time they utter a note or whistle very dissimilar to the 
cuck-oo of the love season.” 
_ The cuckoo is spread over the whole of Europe, decreasing in numbers 
in the north. It subsists entirely on insects. 
Several other species have been discovered in Asia and Africa, very 
similar in appearance to the common bird, and they are supposed to be 
also similar in habits and history. 
Several small African species, sometimes called golden cuckoos (Chalcites 
auratus, and others), have very splendid golden-green plumage, and are the 
most beautiful of this family. One of these is worthy of special notice 
from the fact that it was named by the celebrated naturalist and traveller 
Le Vaillant in honor of a faithful Hottentot servant who accompanied him 
during one of his expeditions, and continues to be known by his name, as 
“ Klaas’ cuckoo” (C. klaasii). 
Orpver IV. Coriumsa, Pigzons anp Doves. 
Contains an assemblage of birds of elegant forms, and much isolated in 
appearance and general characters from all other birds. They are said to 
live almost invariably in pairs, and one of their chief characters is that 
they feed their young by disgorging the food previously swallowed by the 
parent. 
All the species are known by the names of pigeons and doves, and they 
inhabit all the countries of the world. 
Fam. 1. Cotumsip# (only family). 
Sub-fam. 1. Treronine, or Tree Pigeons. Bill short, ends of both man- 
dibles knobbed or thickened ; wings moderate, strong; tail broad, truncate ; 
tarsi very short, generally feathered, feet robust. Size rather large ; colors 
gay. 
The birds of this sub-family are restricted to India and the Asiatic 
islands. Many of them are large and showy, living entirely in trees and 
mestly found in the depths of the forests, on the fruits obtained in which 
they subsist. 
The aromatic pigeon (Treron aromatica), an Indian species, is remark- 
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