THE CUCKOO AND HIS KINDRED. 123 



a most pertinacious singer, and will continue for a 

 long time in one spot if left undisturbed, uttering 

 its notes at intervals. The song is entirely confined 

 to the male bird, the note of the female being a 

 very peculiar, bubbling cry, impossible to express 

 in syllables, I may remark, that very exceptionally 

 the song of the male is uttered in three syllables in 

 spring ; but I have always remarked that it is the 

 last syllable which is repeated, and not the first as 

 in summer. This song is occasionally uttered as 

 the bird flies from place to place, and generally 

 when just about to alight: 



" The cuckoo is a merry bird, 

 He sings as he flies." 



The song often begins before sunrise, and is fre- 

 quently continued well into the dusk. The Cuckoo 

 also utters a low, chattering cry, which is common 

 to both sexes, and is heard most frequently when 

 the birds are under excitement. Many years ago 

 I first remarked the peculiar attraction which the 

 Cuckoo's song possesses for various other birds. 

 I have frequently seen a passing bird turn entirely 

 from its course and alight near to where a Cuckoo 

 was singing. Small birds repeatedly follow a Cuckoo 

 from place to place, whether from dread of its visits 



