PICAKI^. ( 27r> ) CUCULIDM. 



THE CUCKOO. 



Giwulus canorus. 



Thrice welcome, darli7ig of the Spriiig! 



Even yet thoic art to fne 

 No bird, but an invisible thing, 



A voice, a mystery ; 

 The same zvhom in my school-boy days 



I listened to ; that cry 

 Which made me look a thousand ways 



In hnsh, and tree, and sky. 

 To seek thee did I often rove 



Through woods and on the green ; 

 A fid tho7i wert still a hope, a love ; 



Still longed for, never seen. 

 A?id I can listen to thee yet ; 



Can lie tipon the plain 

 And listen, till I do beget 



That golden time again. 



Wordsworth. 



When the woods of the county are preparing to put on 

 their new robes, and the pale primrose is painting the 

 deans, the voice of the wandering Cuckoo is usually heard 

 for the first time in the season ; and we hail the welcome 

 notes, for they are associated in our memories with the 

 joyous days of youth and early summer. 



Delightful visitant ! with thee 



I hail the time of fiow'rs, 

 When heav'n is lill'd with music sweet 



Of birds among the bow'rs. 



Michael Bruce, in his beautiful " Ode to the Cuckoo," from 

 VOL. I. s 



