220 
THE CUCKOO’S SECRET 
also point to the conclusion that when the duty of 
egg-laying is over, a thoroughly good repast is 
sought. 
Probably the favourite diet of Cuckoos is one of 
hairy caterpillars, notably those of the Drinker 
Moth. When these larvae occur on the long grass 
beneath a fence — and where there is one there are 
sure to be plenty — several Cuckoos may be 
attracted to the place and range themselves along 
the fence. Here they will act as though they were 
large Chats, dropping down to take a caterpillar 
and returning to their perch. It is not easy at 
any time to meet with Cuckoos when they are 
feeding, and when one remembers the insatiable 
voracity of the young Cuckoo, one can hardly 
credit that he or she will grow into a seemingly 
abstemious bird. But it is likely that adult Cuckoos 
can and do speedily fill themselves to repletion, for 
they are almost the only birds who prey upon 
hirsute caterpillars, and so meet with no competition 
on their feeding-grounds. 
It is a fact that young Cuckoos will eat worms, 
and one has even been seen to flv down on to a 
j 
lawn and pull out a worm as a Thrush would do. 
If the young, why not the adults ? And so it 
appears to be possible in an open season for 
