Origin of Species Variorum

→ nest. If this were the case, the process of laying and hatching might be inconveniently long, more especially as she migrates at a very early period; and the first hatched young would probably have to be fed by the male alone. 1869

nest. 1859 1860 1861 1866 1872

↑ 1 blocks not present in 1869; present in 1859 1860 1861 1866 1872

If this were the case, the process of laying and hatching might be inconveniently long, more especially as she has to migrate at a very early period; and the first hatched young would probably have to be fed by the male alone.

→ both asserted and denied 1869 1872

asserted 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ have lately heard from Dr. Merrell, of Iowa, that he once found in Illinois a young cuckoo together with a young jay in the nest of a Blue jay ( Garrulus cristatus ); and as both were nearly fully feathered, there could be no mistake in their identification. 1869

hear on the high authority of Dr. Brewer, that this is a mistake. 1859 1860 1861 1866

have lately heard from Dr. Merrell, of Iowa, that he once found in Illinois a young cuckoo together with a young jay in the nest of a Blue jay (Garrulus cristatus); and as both were nearly fully feathered, there could be no mistake in their identification. 1872

→ through being enabled to migrate earlier or through any other cause; or 1866 1869 1872

or 1859 1860 1861

→ when reared by 1869 1872

by 1859 1860 1861 1866

→ then 1859 1860 1869 1872

and by having to migrate at a very early period; then 1861

and by having to migrate at an early period; then 1866

intervals of two or three days; so that, if she were to make her own nest and sit on her own eggs, those first laid would have to be left for some time unincubated, or there would be eggs and young birds of different ages in the same →nest. If this were the case, the process of laying and hatching might be inconveniently long, more especially as she migrates at a very early period; and the first hatched young would probably have to be fed by the male alone. ↑ But the American cuckoo is in this predicament; for she makes her own

nest

nest,

and has eggs and young successively hatched, all at the same time. It has been →both asserted and denied that the American cuckoo occasionally lays her eggs in other

birds'

birds

nests; but I → have lately heard from Dr. Merrell, of Iowa, that he once found in Illinois a young cuckoo together with a young jay in the nest of a Blue jay ( Garrulus cristatus ); and as both were nearly fully feathered, there could be no mistake in their identification.

Nevertheless,

....

I could

give

also give

several instances of various birds which have been known occasionally to lay their eggs in other

birds'

bird's

birds

nests. Now let us suppose that the ancient progenitor of our European cuckoo had the habits of the American

cuckoo;

cuckoo,

but

and

that

occasionally she

she occasionally

laid an egg in another

bird's

birds

bird

nest. If the old bird profited by this occasional

habit,

habit

→through being enabled to migrate earlier or through any other cause; or if the young were made more vigorous by advantage

having been

being

taken of the mistaken

maternal

....

instinct of another

bird,

species

species,

than →when reared by their own

mother's

mothers

mother,

care,

....

encumbered as she

can

could

hardly fail to be by having eggs and young of different ages at the same

time,

time;

→then the old birds or the fostered young would gain an advantage. And analogy would lead

to believe, that the young thus reared would be apt to follow by inheritance the occasional and aberrant habit of their mother, and in their turn would be apt