Observations on the Cuckoo. 329 



And why, therefore, should the cuckoos pair, which are exempt 

 from the ordinary duties of incubation ? In nature nothing 

 is superfluous, nought is ordained without a purpose; and 

 what possible advantage would be derived from the pairing 

 of birds which never rear their offspring ? Upon a due con- 

 sideration of the foregoing reflections, I think there is every 

 reason to infer that which is certainly borne out by all ap- 

 pearances, that the European cuckoo never does pair, nor 

 according to the common acceptation of the word, is strictly 

 polygamous, but lives (like the American cattle-bird) in a 

 state of general concubinage. 



The reader will observe that I offer no kind of theory to 

 account for the many peculiarities of this interesting bird. I 

 have certainly read many notions on the subject, but cannot 

 say that I feel the least inclined to adopt any that I have 

 hitherto met with. It is sufficiently obvious, though few seem 

 to have given this their consideration, that no explanation of 

 the cuckoo's habits can ever be admitted as satisfactory, un- 

 less it will equally apply to those of the North American cat- 

 tle-bird. 



Both sexes, I believe, utter the call " cuckoo ;" and both, 

 I know, repeat the other note, which, in VII. 348., I have de- 

 signated " full and melodious." This is, indeed, in my opi- 

 nion, one of the most musical sounds to be heard in the British 

 woods, and closely resembles one or two notes in the nightin- 

 gale's song, which are, however, inferior to it; it may be 

 expressed, as nearly as writing can do it, by the monosyllable 

 cul, or cuil, repeated several times in quick and continuous 

 succession ; and it is invariably uttered either immediately as 

 the bird takes wing, or the moment before ; sometimes the one, 

 and sometimes the other. The common and more generally 

 known note, cuckoo, is alike repeated either when perched or 

 on the wing ; and, I am fully confident in my own mind, by 

 both sexes* ; but I will not speak quite positively on this point 

 till I have myself examined a female which had been heard 

 to sing. It is the decided opinion, however, of several ob- 

 servant persons of my acquaintance, for the accuracy of whose 

 observations I have the highest regard, that this note is com- 

 mon to both sexes ; and one even tells me that, as, with a gun 

 in his hand, he was once talking to a friend, a cuckoo alighted 

 upon a tree close by, and several times repeated its call : he 

 was desired to shoot it, and did so ; and, a day or two after- 

 wards, his friend told him it was a pity he had shot it, for it 



* Mr. Yarrell also inclines to the opinion, that this call-note, " cuckoo," 

 is alike uttered by both sexes. 



