o24 CUCULID^. 



believe, invariably E flat, the lower most Irequently 

 C natural, forming, however, not a perfect musical in- 

 terval, but something between a minor and a major third. 

 Occasionally two birds may be heard singing at once, one 

 seemingly aiming at a minor, the other a major third ; 

 the effect is, of course, discordant. Sometimes the first 

 note is pronounced two or three times, thus *'cuck-cuck- 

 cuckoo," and I have heard it repeated rapidly many times 

 in succession, so as to resemble the trilling note of the 

 Nightingale, but in a lower key. The note of the nest- 

 ling is a shrill plaintive chirp, which may best be imitated 

 by twisting a glass stopper in a bottle. Even the human 

 ear has no difficulty in understanding it as a cry for food, 

 of which it is insatiable. Towards the end of June the 

 Cuckoo, according to the old adage, " alters its tune," 

 which at first loses its musical character and soon ceases 

 altogether. In July the old birds leave us, the males by 

 themselves first, and the females not many days after ; 

 but the young birds remain until October. 



THE GEEAT SPOTTED CUCKOO. 



CUCULUS GLANDARIUS. 



Featlicrs of the head dark ash colour, elongated, forming a ci-est ; upper plumage 

 greyish black, mostly tipped with white ; throat and breast reddish white ; 

 under parts white. Length fifteen inches and a half. 



An exceedingl}^ rare visitor of the British Isles. It 

 inhabits the wooded districts skirting the sultry plains 

 of North Africa, and occasionally finds its way across 

 tlie Mediterranean to Spain and Italy. Little is known 

 of its habits, exce^^t that it builds a nest and rears its 

 vounff. 



