C U C K O O .
CUCULUS CANORUS.
TiiEHB are few parls of (in-at Britain to which tlio Cuckoo is not a well-known innwnr visitor, being
especially numerous in some of tin- wildest districts of the uorth of Scotland. The rocks and lieallier of the
Highland glens are fully as attractive to this singular species as thu plantations and extensive reed-bods of
the east of Norfolk or the furze-rovcrcd downs of Sussex. After reaching our shores in spring, Cuckoos
apparently proceed with hut little delay towards their haunts, few remaining Tor any length of time in the
neighbourhood of the coast. For a day or so they may be seen Hitting along the hedgerows, invariably
attracting attention as they flap slowly over the hushes (their manner of flight somewhat resembling that of
the smaller Hawks); the wanderers, however, speedily pass uver, and the vicinity of the shore is descrtod, except
by mi occasional strugirler, lill the return journey isentcred upon early in uuluuiu.
I t is probable that Cuckoos return regularly to their accustomed haunts, from which during the sra-ou
they seldom stray any considerable distance. Though failing to catch a glimpse of the bird, I was frequently
informed a few years kick, by keepers, shepherds, and others, of a Cuckoo exhibiting red or tawny
plumage, that was seen for two or throe I SSI QUI resorting to a well sheltered valley in the South Downs.
During the latter part of May and early in June W O I repeatedly observed a male of this species, showing |
broad patch of white on the wings, skimming over the marshes and round the reed-beds about IHekling Broad
in Norfolk; in the following year a bird with much the same markings was again seen frequenting the
same localities.
Though several facts still remain to he ascertained, the breeding.habits of the Cuckoo have been so fully
described by many authors that most of the peculiarities of this singular species are now generally well known
to all who take an interest m bird-life ; the extraordinary mauuer in which the young eject their companions
from the nest has also been accurately depicted. The observations that I have been enabled to make on this
subject throw no further light on the habits of the bird, and may con SI-OUCH I ly lie passed over.
The follow iug extracts from mj notes for May 1*72 tend to prove that the egg is laid on the ground nod
then conveyed to the nest. Having marked down a lireon Sandpiper, in a dyke in the I'ollcr-Hciiihnm
marshes, 1 followed the bank round towards the spit when: the bird was lost sight of. On looking cautiously
over a thorn bush which had effectually concealed my approach, the Sandpiper rose and was at once
secured. At the report of the gun a Cuckoo lluttcml Bran the sloping bank within a yanl of where 1 stood,
and on examining the s|tol (a bare patch among brambles, weeds, and rough grass) an egg was discovend
lying on the ground. There could not he the slightest doubt as to its identity, and the bird was evidently a
female; in all probability, unless so suddenly alarmed, she would have removed it on rising on wing.
1 am inclined to believe that whatever may bo the position of the nest, the egg is invariably laid on the
ground and llieu transport ill to the spot selected. In May 186t I happened to catch sight of a female
t'oekoii skimming -lowly oler a io-h-niarsh in the east of .Norfolk ; a Pipit was following closely in attendance.