For the common hen, I know, when the fury of
incubation is on her, will sit on a single shapeless stone instead of a
nest full of eggs that have been withdrawn: and, moreover, a hen-
turkey, in the same circumstances, would sit on in the empty nest
till she perished with hunger.
I think the matter might easily be determined whether a cuckoo
lays one or two eggs, or more, in a season, by opening a female
during the laying-time. If more than one was come down out of the
ovary, and advanced to a good size, doubtless then she would that
spring lay more than one.
I will endeavour to get a hen, and to examine.
Your supposition that there may be some natural obstruction in
singing birds while they are mute, and that when this is removed
the song recommences is new and bold; I wish you could discover
some good grounds for this suspicion.
I was glad you were pleased with my specimen of the caprimulgus,
or fern-owl; you were, I find, acquainted with the bird before.
When we meet, I shall be glad to have some conversation with you
concerning the proposal you make of my drawing up an account of
the animals in this neighbourhood.
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