BRITAIN^S BIRDS AND THEIR NESTS. 219 



Family, UPUPID^ (Hoopoes). 



THE HOOPOE 



(Upupa epops). 



This beautiful bird, with its dazzling plumage, large 

 crest, and long, slender bill, is a summer visitor in very 

 small numbers to the British Isles. Most of the immi- 

 grants are shot down on their arrival, but a few sometimes 

 survive to nest in various southern English counties. 

 The nest is placed in a hole in a tree, or in some similar 

 situation. The from four to seven eggs are pale greenish 

 blue when first laid, but become darker. 



Family, CUCULID^ (Cuckoos). 



THE CUCKOO 



(Cuculus canorus). 

 Plate 68. 



Early in April in the south of England, but not for 

 a month later in the north of Scotland, the male Cuckoo 

 puts in an appearance each year. From the time of his 

 arrival till some time in June the familiar ' Cuc-koo "* may 

 be heard over almost the whole of the British Isles, 

 although with much less frequency in the northern parts. 

 In June his voice ' breaks,"* and he ' changes his tune,"* as 

 the rhyme has it. In August the adults of both sexes, 

 unfettered by family cares, take flight to warmer climes. 



The Cuckoo is more often heard than seen, but yet 

 in most districts it is common enough to be familiar to 



