BIRD LIFE
THE CUCKOOS’ RUSE. “ Why is it that cuckoos’ seem to prefer laying their eggs in the nests of such small birds as grey warblers ” was the question put to the Forest and Bird Protection Society. “ The cuckoos know that the warblers’ diet consists of various kinds of grubs which are harmful to plants,” replied the President of the Society. As foster-parents the warblers are very active providers of the right kind of food for the young cuckoos, which have huge appetites. It is true that only one egg is sneaked into a warbler's nest, but th»? unexpected foundling soon grows larger than one of the duped birds, which work very hard to nourish the murderer of their own voung. Happily, the delightful grey warbler, which has a very sweet trill, has adapted itself to the new conditions in New Zealand. Its song is heard in gardens of many towns and in the suburbs of cities, where cuckoos do not interfere with' the nesting-’*
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Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 63, Issue 4490, 15 October 1941, Page 5
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165BIRD LIFE Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 63, Issue 4490, 15 October 1941, Page 5
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