EARLY LIFE OF THE YOUNG CUCKOO 87 
lop bird tumbled over tlie head of the other, like a rider falling 
over the head of a horse. The birds being somewhat exhausted 
had a short rest, but they soon became extremely restless and 
again commenced the struggle. 
It was unfortunate that although snapshots were taken of 
these avine battles they all proved useless. The following day 
(June 10) one of the cuckoos was again found outside the nest. 
It was placed back again, when the cuckoo in possession of the 
nest began to hoist the other on its back and climbed up the 
side of the nest backwards and threw it out of the nest, which it 
had little difficulty in doing as the one found outside the nest 
had become weak through want of food. After this the weak 
bird was placed in the nest to give it a chance to recover, and 
the stronger one was taken away for about an hour. On 
returning, the bird was put back into the nest again, whereupon 
the weak bird made several attempts to eject its stronger com- 
panion, but without effect, as it was far too weak. It then acted 
on the defensive by lying in a canted position by keeping the 
side that was next its opponent downward, one of its legs being 
stretched out and its claws against the opposite side of the nest, 
to try and prevent its opponent from getting under it. The nest 
was then bolstered up to give the weak bird a chance to recover, 
but on June ii the weak bird had disappeared altogether. The 
pipits paid no attention to the young cuckoo when it was 
outside the nest, although the bird was frequently sitting on the 
side of it. 
Thus far no photographs of any value had been secured, 
although such excellent opportunities had been presented. Not 
to be outwitted, Mr. Craig procured a young yellow-bunting, 
w’hich was admirably suited for his purpose. This he placed in 
the nest beside the sole remaining occupant, i.e., the strongest 
young cuckoo. After a few minutes’ delay the cuckoo hoisted 
the yellow-bunting on its back and climbed up the side of the 
nest backwards and shot the bird over the nest ! The young 
bird was put back into the nest again and again, but the cuckoo 
repeated the operation each time. 
Six snapshots were taken at various stages, and two of them 
were of a most successful character. By this time the cuckoo 
was five or six days old and the yellow-bunting was about three 
or four, and it should be remembered that for the first few days 
the young cuckoo is quite blind. 
The nest was then stretched out (it should be stated that the 
nest of the meadow-pipit is built on the ground), to try and save 
the young yellow-bunting, but on visiting the nest the following 
day (June 12) the bird was found lying dead outside the nest. 
The next visit was paid on June 17, when a young hedge- 
sparrow was placed in the nest to see what further performances 
would take place, but the two birds sat quite contentedly together, 
and the following day (June 18) they were still living quite 
amicably. On June 19 both birds were progressing very rapidly. 
