202 
ICTERUS PECORIS. 
more we reflect on it ; namely, that he has formed n® 
species of animals so minute, or obscure, that are not 
invested with certain powers and peculiarities, both of 
outward conformation, and internal faculties, exactly 
suited to their pursuits, siiflicient to distin<ruish them 
from all others ; and forraingf for them a character 
solely and exclusively their own. This is particularly 
so amonfr the feathered race. If there he any cas« 
where these (diaracteristic features are not evident, 
is owinn- to our want of observation ; to our littl® 
intercourse with that particular tribe ; or to that con* 
tempt for inferior animals, and all their habitudcSj 
which is but too general, and which bespeaks a morosCi l 
unfeeling-, and unreflecting mind. These peculiarities 
are often surprising, always instructive where undcf' 
stood, and, (as in the subject of our present chapter;) 
at least amusing, and worthy of being farther invest'" 
gated. 
The most remarkable trait in the character of tl'h 
.species is, the unaccountable ]>ractice it has of droi)p'"^ 
its e^gs into the nests of other bii-ds, instead of biiildi"? 
and hatching for itself; and thus entirely abaudonii'c 
its progeny to the care and mercy of straiigers. Mof** 
than two thousand years ago, it was well known, 
those countries where the bird inhabits, that the cuckoo 
of Europe (ciiculns canorus) never built herself a nes*’ 
but di-opt her eggs in (he nests of other birds ; huh 
among the thousands of ditlerent si)oeies that sprc"“ 
over that and other p.irts of the globe, no other instan'l^ j 
of the same uniform habit has been found to exist, i"’*'!- 
discovered in the bird now before us. Of the reality 
the former there is no doubt; it is known to evctl 
schoolboy in Britain ; of (he truth of the latter I 
myself speak with confidence, from personal observatim'' 
and from the testimony of gentlemen, niiknow" 
each other, residing in different and distant i)arts "j 
the United States. The circumstances by which 
became first acquainted with this peculi.ar habit of 
bird are as follows : — ^ 
I had, in numerous instances, found in the nests o 
