No. 483] 



MAr/.\(; AMOXG BIRDS 



173 



it is only through the force of circumstances that \)\ViU aic ever 

 the latter, as some seem to contend. 



Some of the breeding habits of Cuckoos in vai ions part^ of the 

 world are truly remarkable, as witness tlio^e of thi^ country 

 (Crotophaga, Geococcyx and ( 'ocevzn-^ i. It wonM appear, from 

 what we know of its habits, that our Ani> may be strictly i)olyg- 

 amous (Crotophaga), inasmucii as several females of this species 

 all lay their eggs in the same nest, — but even so, they may be the 

 mates of different males. 



There are some wonderfully interesting questions that arise, 

 when we come to study the courtships, mating, and m'dification 

 of the cuckoos, cuckoo-like birds, and the cowbirds, and especially 

 when we apply this knowledge, in a comparative way, with the 

 customs followed by our own sj)ecies. Space, or rather its limi- 

 tations, will not admit of my diM-ns.iu- any mk Ii matter here. 



that will take fully into .-ouMdlTat ion> all >u<'li !,ne>ti..ns, and 

 where suflicient data is av;ulal.le. end.-avor to throw >ome liirht 



