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NOTES ON A FEW OF THE MIGRATORY BIRDS OF THE 

 ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT. 



By John Birkett, (Keswick.) 



WITH A PLATE. 



THE CUCKOO (Ciuulus canonts). 

 THE WHEATEAR (Saxicola ananthe). 

 THE BUTCHER-BIRD (Lanius collurio). 

 THE NIGHT-JAR ( Caprlmulgits Eiiropxus). 

 THE CHIMNEY-SWALLOW (Hirjmdo rnstica). 

 THE WOODCOCK (Scolopax rusticola). 



THE CUCKOO. 



There are few birds which have excited so much interest as the 

 common Cuckoo. Its note in spring, heralding the return of sunny 

 skies and bursting vegetation, carries with it dear associations in every 

 country where it is known. The average date of its arrival in this 

 district is between the 20th and 29th of April, although there are instances 

 when its note has been heard, and the bird seen, earlier; I myself 

 remember once seeing one flying across the side of Latrigg during the 

 second week in April ; I was not more than fifty or sixty yards from it, 

 but did not hear its note, nor did I hear the note of any, that spring until 

 nearly a fortnight after. Generally on its arrival its note is heard 

 proclaiming its presence to its mate ; this is continued until the season 

 of breeding has passed, the note gradually becoming hoarser and more 

 indistinct as the season advances ; and ultimately, before their departure, 

 the birds become entirely mute. The old birds leave us very early; they 

 are among the first of our visitors to depart, none remaining after July ; 



