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136
My Studio Neighbors
·
W. Hamilton Gibson
24
It
is
an
interesting
question
which
the
contrast
of
the
American
and
European
cuckoo
thus
presents.
Is
the
American
species
a
degenerate
or
a
progressive
nest-builder?
Has
she
advanced
in
process
of
evolution
from
a
parasitical
progenitor
building
no
nest,
or
is
the
bird
gradually
retrograding
to
the
evil
ways
of
her
notorious
namesake?
The
evidence
of
this
generic
physiological
peculiarity
in
the
intervals
of
oviposition,
taken
in
consideration
with
the
fact
of
the
rudimentary
nest,
would
seem
to
indicate
the
retention
of
a
now
useless
physiological
function,
and
that
the
bird
is
thus
a
reformer
who
has
repudiated
the
example
of
her
ancestors,
and
has
henceforth
determined
to
look
after
her
own
babes.
With
the
original
presumed
object
of
this
remarkable
prolonged
interval
in
egg-laying
now
removed,
the
period
will
doubtless
be
reduced
through
gradual
evolution
to
accommodate
itself
to
the
newly
adopted
conditions.
The
week's
interval,
taken
in
connection
with
the
makeshift
nest
or
platform
of
sticks,
is
now
a
disastrous
element
in
the
life
of
the
bird.
Such
of
the
cuckoos,
therefore,
as
build
the
more
perfect
nests,
or
lay
at
shortest
intervals,
will
have
a
distinct
advantage
over
their
less
provident
fellows,
and
the
law
of
heredity
will
thus
insure
the
continual
survival
of
the
fittest.
The
cuckoo
is
not
alone
among
British
birds
in
its
intrusion
on
other
nests.
Many
other
species
are
occasionally
addicted
to
the
same
practice,
though
such
acts
are
apparently
accidental
rather
than
deliberate,
so
far
as
parasitical
intent
is
concerned.
The
lapse
is
especially
noticeable
among
such
birds
as
build
in
hollow
trees
and
boxes,
as
the
woodpeckers
and
wagtails.
Thus
the
English
starling
will
occasionally
impose
upon
and
dispossess
the
green
woodpecker.
In
the
process
of
nature
in
such
cases
the
stronger
of
the
two
birds
would
retain
the
nest,
and
thus
assume
the
duties
of
foster-parent.
Starting
from
this
reasonable
premise
concerning
the
prehistoric
cuckoo,
it
is
not
difficult
to
see
how
natural
selection,
working
through
ages
of
evolution
by
heredity,
might
have
developed
the
habitual
resignation
of
the
evicted
bird,
perhaps
to
the
ultimate
entire
abandonment
of
the
function
of
incubation.
Inasmuch
as
"we
have
no
experience
in
the
creation
of
worlds,"
we
can
only
presume.
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