IN TOUCH WITH NATURE

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 12

IN TOUCH WITH NATURE

TKE SHINING CUCKOO AND ITS HABITS. CBtt Jajces X>kt7»c«:o3si>, F.I/.5., TT.Z.S.) Ifc -i? 1 °^ liefl y th * shining cuckoos parasrtacal habits that make it the object of special attention. There are many BMk the famrfy circle of the Cuculid* that haintuaay and persistently foist the care of tnesr young upon wea k but kindtoearted ran g €rs# The cnckoo > s participation in tins habit has been proved Oeyond any doubt, and nobody need have «ny scruples in condemning shining cuckoos generally as beautiful but impudent parasites. There are bright and conspicuous exceptions. This is shown by tb^ observations o f Mr F. G. Sparrow of Uruwbenua, Takaka, Nelson, an experienced and reliable observer. On one occasion, when he. was prospecting on the JWaitni Raver, in the MeLson province, he saw two chining cuckoos, which spent most of their time catching flies over the pools- in the riv>er. He noticed that they alwayp flew into the btish in one direction. Early one morning he was surprised to see seven cuckoos dose to the pobi, five of ifcem evidently young birds. The young ones oouJd fly only short distances. They- often sat all in row on a branch, without changing their positions, for a long time. Tne old cuckoos fed them frequently, but, in a spirit of justice and fairness, gave each in its turn, never feeding one twice in succession. This went on for several weeks. The young birds became more and more like their parents, ,md took longer and longeT nights, and then all seven disappeared, and were never seen again. A few days later on Mr Sparrow disooTOred in a. -dry cabbage-tree a cavity under a leaning dead stump, about 6ft from the ground. He believes that tbie "was the nest in which the young ouokoos were hatched. This is the only record of New Zealand cuckoos having undertaken the arduous duties of domestic life. The same thing has been noted in other countries, and also on the Kermadec islands, where an observer has seen old birds • feeding their young. But these incidents are as rare as they are gratifying, and they do not absolve • cuckoos in all parts of the world from the reproaches which' the reprehensible habits of th* family have called forth from right- * thinking people. As the guilt of the shining cuckoo has beer, established, investigators now turn their., attention to the reasons which prompt the bird to select the nests that are usurped, the way in which the eggs are deposited in the nests, the attitude of the foster parents to the young cuckoos, and the behaviour of the young cuckoo towards the chick of the rightful owner. It is on tbeee points that information is sought. Those who aTe fortunate enough to see the act of usurpation should make • tareful notes at the time, recording the dates when the cuckoo is seen near the other bird's nest, when the stcange eggs are found in it, when the young cuckoos are hatched, when they throw out the other chicks, when they fly, acd so onAn unfortunate mistake, which should not occur again, was made by a contributor to " Magaster's " column in the Otago Daily Times. He found a cuckoo's egg in the nest of . a grey warbler. He had an excellent opportunity for watching one of the most interesting incidents in the whole Tealm of natural history, but instead of doing that he foolishly took possession of the nest and the eggs, and sent them to " Magister." Amongst the birds that have been known to feed young shining cuckoos in New~"3Sealand are the bell-bird, the tin, the grey warbler, the tomtit, the robin, the brown creeper, the bushcanary, the native pigeon, and the wliiteeye. Cuckoos' eggs have also been found in New Zealand in the nest 6of fantails, blackbirds, and sparrows. In some cases — notably with the grey warbler — the birds that feed young cuckoos have not reared them. The warblers' actions are dictated, apparently, by a spirit of pure benevolence. Their tender^teaEts Meed for the piteous young cuckoos, whose plaintive cries rke in tike air until a' philanthropic soul comes along to minister to their wants. An incident of this nature is described by Mr Percy Bourke, of Tutamoe, Northern Wairoa, Auckland : " I was roaming about in the bush," ne says, " apd heard a shining cuckoo piping as if in distress. I found that it was being fed by little warblers. Later on I found some cuckoos in a paddock of clover infested with caterpillars. The caterpillars were crawling over the cuckoos' feet, but the cuckoos were still crying out to the small birds to feed them, iind so save themeelves the labour of catching the caterpillars, which were within easy reach." Among other objectionable characteristics, the young cuckoos give themselves up to gluttony, which, of course, entails further anxiety and work upon the foster-parents. Mr W. Gates, who spent some years of his boyhood in the dense bush near Hokitika, says that young cuckoos have appetites that would compare favourably with Oliver Twist's, and that the warbler finds much difficulty in maintaining the supply of insects. The instinct of utter selfishness, obviously, is very, strong in the shining .cuckoo from the moment it breaks its shell and comes out inito the world to fight its way amongst other birds. There is a third serious charge against the shining cuckoo, and the evidence on this point aijgo is fairly strong. Besides ' being a parasite and a glutton, it is, like its fellow with the long tail, a thief. It , not only usurps other birds' nests, but also steals and eats their eggs, doin^ them a double injury. This crime, and not .the usurpation, probably accounts for ( the fact that the small birds often show that they hold the shining cuckoo in ( strong enmity. Dr Fulton states that i

the cuckoo's call has an extraordinary effect upon other birds. As soon as the first note is seunded all 'the small birds in the neighbourhood set up a chattering and screaming, and they gather together in numbers to chase the hated intruder away. Mr E. Valpy, writing from Glen- ! orchy, says that a chining cuckoo once , flew into a willow tree, in which a pair of grey warblers had their nest. The two poor little birds stayed close- to the nest absolutely still, as if fascinated or paralysed with fear, but the cuckoo flewaway without, molesting them or their nest. Mr M'Gonigle, of Westport, says that he has often se«n a shining cuckoo rest on the topmost branch of a high tree, and he has noted that as soon as ite baneful whistle resounded it was hunted away by tuis. A shining cuckoo laet year announced itself at the door of Mr C. . Mahoney's house at Tupaxoa, Poverty . Bayj early one morning. Mr Mahoney jumped out of bed, and saw the stranger flying away, " leaving sparrows, minahs, yeUowhamme*®, and t&rushes discucsing its sudden appearance in very excited and jndignant tones." Mr W. Puckey, of Kai-taia,-in the North Island, has seen kingfishers chasing cuckoos from tree to tree. Other instances are given to show that the shining cuckoo is feared and disliked ,and is iregarde3 as au enemy to society. Alf this, of course, shows that beauty and talent, . although fine attributes, do no> command respect aiid love,' and that it is better to be a dowdy, discordant bird wth a good heart than a gay and debonair finger with detestable proclivities.