126 
THE CUCKOO’S SECRET 
to be absolutely unaware of the presence of the 
Meadow Pipits, which Hawkins declared would 
be reproduced on the film, hopping and dancing 
about in a most excited manner within one or two 
feet of the nest. I clearly saw the Cuckoo lay on 
the nest, and as quickly back out and fly away. 
She was at the nest side for about twenty seconds 
in all, inclusive of her hesitation on alighting, and 
the film reproduction shows the Pipit dashing at 
the Cuckoo as she lays on the nest, whilst her 
head holding in the beak the stolen egg is hidden 
in the grasses at the back of the nest. 
The Laying of the Fourth Egg , May 18. 
To-day’s indications pointed to the second nest 
of No. 5 pair of Meadow Pipits and we placed two 
hides near it, that for Hawkins being within seven 
yards, the other, containing my brother Kenneth, 
at ten yards’ distance. Just before 4.15 the Cuckoo 
glided from the cherry tree H 1 , in the garden 
orchard on the east side of the common. The 
length of the glide was only about 50 yards, and 
from that moment onwards, until about forty- 
five seconds later, when she flew away with the 
fosterer’s egg in her beak, Hawkins filmed con- 
tinuously. 
