Habits of the Cuckoo. 383 



rently as rival lovers ; and I have had more than one proof 

 that her pursuers were both males ; a fact which proves the 

 bird polygamous ; and I think (although it may be difficult 

 to ascertain, where they are numerous) that it may be justly 

 inferred, that the females live in a " state of general concu- 

 binage." 



That these were the only three birds in the neighbourhood, 

 at the period alluded to, I have every reason to believe, as I 

 could readily, from daily, observation, distinguish them by 

 their respective tones, although they greatly resembled each 

 other : the voice of the male bird was rather more shrill and 

 clear than that of the female ; and one of the males, too, 

 when on the wing, would very often repeat the first syllable 

 of the call two, sometimes three, times, as if he was in great 

 agitation. One of the males disappeared early in June (pro- 

 bably shot), and the other remained till the beginning of July, 

 when he departed, and left the female alone. Although these 

 two birds were the only pair of the same species, they did not 

 live, as a pair of doves live, in matrimonial harmony, but only 

 visited as impulse prompted. I endeavoured to find out where 

 the female deposited her eggs*; but I never could detect her 

 visiting any nest, although 1 have frequently watched her 

 gliding along the hedgerows, in situations where her favourite 

 nests were likely to be met with. Yet 1 have every reason to 

 believe she did lay eggs, as two young cuckoos were observed 

 in the neighbourhood, early in July, one of which was caught 

 by a gentleman, and caged ; but he was not successful in rear- 

 ing it. 



From what I have observed of the habits of the cuckoo, I 

 believe that both sexes do utter both notes above alluded to, 

 and also that they oftentimes repeat the first syllable two 

 or three times ; that they are, also, attached to particular local- 

 ities I have more than once witnessed ; but whether from that 

 particular situation producing them a greater abundance of 

 food, or from hearing their notes repeated by an echo, I do 

 not pretend to determine. That they also live in pairs, I have, 

 too, witnessed, but not, as I have before observed, like doves, 

 in matrimonial harmony. — W. H. White. Old Kent Road, 

 June, 10. 1835. 



{The Cuckoo utters two Kinds of Notes. (IV. 270. 415. note* ; 



* I was very anxious to obtain a cuckoo's egg, as I was then making a 

 collection of birds' nests and eggs, with the branches in which they were 

 built, I made a collection of upwards of forty specimens, which I pre- 

 sented to the museum on my removing from Bedford to London. I should 

 be happy to hear of some gentleman making a good collection of nests, 

 eggs, and birds in pairs : they, of themselves, form a very pretty museum. 



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