THE BIRDS OF COOKHAM AND THH NEIGHBOURHOOD. 175 
the water, and immediately instances were quoted in reply. As I 
am particularly interested in the Kingfishers, being now engaged 
in a monograph of the Alcedinide, I should be glad of any notes 
or specimens of any species, and for this purpose would ask 
any of my readers who may have the opportunity of com- 
municating with friends abroad, to endeavour to obtain speci- 
mens for me, in spirits; all such help will be gratefully 
acknowledged in my work. 
In conclusion, I may remark that I believe the powers of 
flight in the Kingfisher to be greatly underrated, for I am 
convinced that it is migratory to a great degree, coming south 
as the winter approaches. I have always noticed (and Mr. 
Briggs also) that a decided increase always takes place in tho 
number of Kingfishers towards the end of October, and as 
regards its powers of flight, my friend Mr. J. E. Harting 
tells me he has seen Kingfishers fly straight out to sea until 
lost in the distance. If then our estimate of the Common 
Kingfisher’s power of flight be under the mark, we ought not 
to be surprised at the Belted Kingfisher’s appearance in 
Ireland, as the bird might have rested on floating spars or 
seaweed on its passage across the ocean from North America, and 
thus have been able to reach Europe. The only cause of wonder 
is on what can it have fed all the time, and why have no 
more been observed in Europe before or since? 
Order ScANSORES. 
Fam. COvcvuripm. 
Cuculus. 
20. Cuculus canorus. The Common Cuckoo. 
A curious fact occurred this summer in connection with a 
Cuckoo at the Zodlogical Gardens, which was duly noticed in 
Land and Water. In an aviary where a Cuckoo was living 
which had survived the winter, a hedge-sparrow (Accentor 
modularis) was seen. Whether he was put in or had entered 
of his own accord, is not known, but no sooner did the Cuckoo 
perceive the little bird than he immediately greeted it, flapping 
his wings, and with open mouth wanted the hedge-sparrow to 
