CUCKOO. 103 



Hill, 1847," and again "seen in the flesh at Baker's, the bird- 

 stuffer's, Hereford, 1856." The late Rev. H. Cooper Key stated 

 that for three or four years the Hoopoe was a constant visitor to 

 his lawn at Stretton Rectory, Sugwas. One was seen at Fownhope 

 in September, i88t, and another the same year was brought dead 

 into Hereford. The Rev. C. L. Eagles also saw one at Longtown. 

 In the autumn of 1883 a pair of Hoopoes were seen in the 

 immediate neighbourhood of Hereford, and one of them was shot 

 on Aylstone-hill by Mr. John Bulmer, who has it now in his 

 possession. 



It is a curious coincidence that this beautiful bird, like the 

 Kingfisher, is very dirty in its nesting habits, and has given rise to 

 the French proverb, " Sale comme une huppe." 



Sub-order— COCCYGES. 



Family— CUCULIDtF:. 



Genus— CUCULUS, Lin. 



CUCULUS CANORUS— Cuckoo. 



Hail, beauteous stranger of the grove ! 



Thou messenger of Spring ! 

 Now Heaven repairs thy rural seat, 



And woods thy welcome sing. 



What time the daisy decks the green, 



Thy certain voice we hear ; 

 Hast thou a star to guide thy path, 



Or mark the rolling year ? 



Delightful visitant ! with thee 



I hail the time of flowers, 

 And hear the sound of music sweet 



From birds among the bowers. 



Sweet bird ! thy bower is ever green, 



Thy sky is ever clear ; 

 Thou hast no sorrow in thy song 



No winter in thy year ! 



John Logan. 



blithe new comer ! I have heard, 



I hear thee and rejoice. 

 O Cuckoo ! shall I call thee bird. 



Or but a wandering voice ? 



Wordsworth. 



