was Put out to Nurse 
and I should have fallen exhausted into 
the waves. I do hate travelling, and 
now I am just going to enjoy myself. 
We haven’t seen a soul since we arrived, 
and I must go and see some of our 
friends, and find out how they are, and 
how feathers are to be trimmed this 
year. I declare I am feeling quite old- 
fashioned.’ And away she flew. 
Mr. Cuckoo followed her, for in truth 
he was as fond of society and gossip 
and pleasure as his wife, and very nearly 
as vain and as proud as she was. He 
was a very fine bird indeed, with his 
bright yellow eyes, beautiful barred 
breast, and long tail. He borea striking 
resemblance to my Lord Sparrow-hawk, 
and in fact was often mistaken for 
him. And of this he was rather proud. 
They both had a very good opinion of 
17 
