130 ' ON THE ABEARANCE OP THE CUCKOO. 



nimble jesters were out of the reach of my stick in an instant, in hearty 

 laughter calling out, "Oh you April fool!" 



The Wryneck, which always precedes the Cuckoo, I heard the first time 

 this year on the 24th. of March. This bird is called by the country-people 

 here, "the Pea-bird" or "the Cuckoo's Mate." The weather is extremely 

 cold to-day, a north-easterly wind is prevailing, with every appearance of 

 a severe frost to-night. Now whilst I am writing, a Jackdaw has pitched 

 upon the wall of my garden, only a few yards from the window. My 

 wife declares it to be a Rook, and the size of the bird (rendered larger 

 in appearance by its close proximity) warrants the supposition, but his grey 

 pole leaves no doubt of his species. He is a fine specimen, truly; well, I 

 had no idea before that he had such a bull-shaped neck. 



Back, Pepper. Be quiet, this is no case of cat, (whenever my eyes are 

 directed towards the garden, the dog's attention instantly follows, holding 

 himself ready for active service in event of feline intrusion.) What is it 

 the Jackdaw is watching so intently upon the ground? Perhaps a bone or 

 piece of meat has been left there by Pepper. He is off. No doubt his 

 sharp eye has detected an enemy somewhere. Yes, there is a cat under 



that Portugal laurel; verily it is the same ferocious noticed in my 



last communication. Now Pepper, after her my boy; let me open the door 

 — there he goes like an arrow — the creature turns at bay. Pepper is as 

 brave as a lion, but he is not savage; at a word of encouragement from 

 me he would, according to the sporting phrase, go in. But we will have 

 no fighting and scratching. Come away Pepper, before thy sharp teeth can 

 have penetrated thy antagonist's furry skin, her terrible hooked claws would 

 tear out thy bright intelligent eyes; so come away, I say, my stick shall 

 effect an ejectment from my premises, which is all neighbourly feelings 

 allows. But this communication is already longer than intended. 



Bath, the first of April, 1858. 



[Mr. Fuller's new enemies, the boys, reminded me of his old ones, the 

 cats, before I came to his mention of them. I fear the Somersetshire 

 boys are behind our Yorkshire ones in manners. Much is to be attributed 

 to the schoolmaster. There was no school at my previous parish of Naf- 

 ferton till I had two built there, and in like manner none here till I got 

 one built, the effect on the "civilization" of the children being in each case 

 most marked and striking. — F. 0. M.] 



