THE CUCKOO. 



279 



clover.' ^ Luzula campesfris, which is common in pastures, 

 and flowers with the primrose and dog-violet, and which is 

 pulled by children to give variety to the spring nosegay, 

 is called ' Cuckoo-grass ;' while Antm maculatum, which is 

 known as ' Cuckoo-pint/ is found plentifully in the woods 

 about Blanerne and Netherbyres," 



Where peep the gaping speckled cuckoo-flowers, 

 Prizes to rambling school-boys' vacant hours. 



Clare. 



Some lingering remains of the ancient belief in the hiberna- 

 tion of the Cuckoo and the Swallow are occasionally heard 

 amongst boys, who repeat the following lines : — 



Seven sleepers there be, — 

 The Bat, the Bee, the Butterflee, 

 The Cuckoo and the Swallow, 

 The Kittiwake and the Corn-craik, 

 Sleep a' in a little hollie. 



1 In Gothland, Sweden, it iis called "Giokmat," and in France, "Pain de 

 Coucou." — A^^at. Hist. Eastern Borders, p. 50. 





"^ ^ ^n £?i W^ait «»v«' 



