142 COMMON CUCKOO. 



to shoulder out all its minute companions, and thus 

 obtains full possession of the nest. After it is hatched, 

 it is fed by the foster-parent for about eight weeks, 

 although it is nearly fledged in about half this time. In- 

 stances, however, have been known, of the Cuckoo hatch- 

 ing and rearing its own offspring, but these are very few. 

 Cuckoos are migratory, quitting this country in the 

 autumn, and returning at the commencement of the 

 spring. They have sometimes been heard so early as the 

 month of February, though their usual period of return is 

 about the middle of April. About the beginning of July, 

 they in some manner change their note, and make a stam- 

 mering kind of noise. In a few instances, Cuckoos have 

 been found in this country during the winter; but it is 

 supposed that these must have been entirely accidental, 

 and owing, probably, to their being young birds, which 

 had not acquired sufficient strength to leave us at the 

 usual period of migration. It is to be observed, that the 

 male Cuckoos only are vocal, and that the females are 

 silent. This is the reason of a singular circumstance, 

 which has been remarked, that a great number more of 

 males than females are shot. These birds may be reared 

 and brought up tame, in which state they will become 

 gentle and familiar. In some countries Cuckoos are 

 esteemed a favourite food. 



The Cuckoo is about fourteen inches in length. The 

 upper parts of the plumage are of a dove-colour ; and the 

 under parts whitish, streaked across with brown. The 

 throat is pale grey ; and the vent feathers buff, marked 

 with a few dusky spots. The tail is rounded, blackish, 

 and dotted with white. The bill is black, strong, and 

 somewhat curved ; and the interior of the mouth is saf- 

 fron-coloured. In the young birds, the whole body is 

 brownish, mixed with ferruginous and black. 



