4 6 
THE CUCKOO’S SECRET 
Monday , June 7, 9 a.m. — There was still only one egg in 
the nest and we feared it had been deserted, which the more 
disappointed me as we believed (and subsequently proved) it 
to be the only nest on the common ready for the Cuckoo’s 
attentions. 
Tuesday , June 8, 1 p.m. — Upon returning to the nest I 
was pleased to find two eggs, and at 4.45 p.m. Cuckoo A 
laid her fourteenth egg, taking away one of the Pipit’s eggs. 
The fosterer subsequently laid an egg on each of the three 
following days, making a total of five eggs laid in six days. 
Thursday , June 10. — Restarted by leaving nest empty, 
but Pipit laid her last egg in the empty nest the next day. 
Fourth Nest (5). 
Wednesday , June 16, 3.40 p.m. — The Cuckoo, after 
watching this pair of Pipits since 2.20 p.m., flew down to 
the nest, which we had not previously found. It contained 
one egg. 
Sunday, June 20. — Pipit laid her fifth egg and from 1 p.m. 
to 1.40 p.m. the male Pipit flew from its nest to the female 
Cuckoo in cherry tree outside centre orchard and back a 
dozen times, as though inviting the Cuckoo to deposit an 
egg. Intermittently till 3.50 p.m. the Cuckoo continued to 
watch this pair as though intending to lay ; but it subse- 
quently transpired she had already that day laid her nine- 
teenth egg in the then unknown nest of No. 8 pair. 
Tuesday , June 22, 2.5 p.m. — Cuckoo A flew down to the 
nest and remained beside it for 31 minutes, completely 
chilling the eggs which were then two days incubated. She 
laid her twentieth egg, removing one of those of the fosterer. 
I took the Cuckoo’s and the fosterer’s four remaining eggs 
and restarted immediately. 
Fifth Nest (4). 
Tuesday , June 29. — Simmonds found this nest building. 
