284 OUR FAVOURITE SONG BIRDS 



species, and it is usually attended during flight by 

 one or more of these teasing satellites. The Cuckoo 

 appears also to be much attached to its haunts, 

 returning to them each season, and what is more, 

 wandering little from them during the entire period 

 of its stay. This bird is not often seen upon the 

 ground, except about the time the eggs are being 

 laid ; it is a clumsy \\ alker owing to its remarkably 

 short legs ; neither does it seem to climb about the 

 branches as its zygodactyle foot might suggest ; it 

 hops from twig to twig, however, with ease, though 

 not given to much movement, when once it has 

 perched. 



A few days after their arrival the males begin to 

 "sing." It is probable that the song is not regained 

 until the arrival of the females leads to rivalry 

 amongst the males. The Cuckoo's note is all too 

 well known to need much description here, the full 

 rich double cry of ciick-koo being familiar to most 

 readers. It may, however, be remarked that this song, 

 as the period of its cessation approaches, becomes 

 much less clear, and is then frequently prolonged into 

 three syllables. Very exceptionally the song takes 

 the form of three notes in spring, but then it will be 

 remarked that the last syllable — the koo — is the one 

 repeated, and not the first, which is a sign of deca- 

 dence only. This song is entirely confined to the 

 male bird, and is continued for about two months, 

 "he bird is a most persistent singer, often remaining 



