260 BlCKNELL on the Sitigiug of Birds. [ July 



tude of bird voices. It is not infrequent in September, but later 

 than the middle of October I have not heard it. 



Another vocal acquirement of the High-hole is a sound much 

 like that caused by the whetting of a scythe. These notes I have 

 recorded from April 8 to September 5 ; but there seems to be no 

 seasonal regularity about their utterance. The species has also 

 some singular, conversational-like tones, and other notes, which 

 are usually uttered when the birds are in company, and are 

 sometimes attended with a great show of bowing and obsequious 

 conduct. 



It is hardly necessary to allude to the familiar call-cry of the 

 species, which may well have conferred the name Clape which 

 the bird bears in certain sections. 



In the breeding season the High-hole seems to be quieter than 

 either before or after, perhaps from considerations of caution. 



Ceryle alcyon. Kingfisher. 



When the Kingfisher is present in winter its loud rattle is 

 given with as much vigor as at other seasons. 



The Cuckoos. 



Our Cuckoos have a variety of notes, some of which are cer- 

 tainly common to both species. I have never been fortunate 

 enough to determine positively which were distinctive of either, 

 and the notes of both are confused in my records. 



Cuckoos continue in voice after their arrival until from the 

 middle to the end of August. Later in the season their notes are 

 faint and brief; latest records for such are September 4 and 14. 



Scops asio. Screech Owl. 



The Screech Owl shows a very perplexing irregularity through 

 the year in the use of its strange quavering cry. This much is 

 plain from my records, which, however, are not sufficiently full 

 to give a clear reading of the larger facts. But that the bird is 

 noisy or the reverse with some reference to the time of the year 

 there can be no doubt. The late summer, far more than the 



