A YOUNG CUCKOO 59 



always puffed up as if in sullenness, would swell out 

 further, the bird would rise up slowly with arched 

 neck like a snake about to strike, the red-lined 

 mouth exposed between the gaping bill. After 

 lingering thus for a few moments, it would strike 

 with sudden vehemence, uttering a click of stifled 

 rage as it did so. The stroke was delivered with 

 such violence that often the bird would pitch forward 

 on its bill, having apparently no firm grip on the flat 

 with its zygodactyl feet. 



It required some time for me to accustom myself 

 to the idea that these shows of violence were 

 unattended by any harm, but in truth there was 

 little more force in the descending bill of the Cuckoo 

 than in the business-like nip of a Blue-tit. Its 

 aspect and gestures, however, must be terrifying to 

 some small creatures. 



When I became sufficiently bold, I would thrust 

 my finger upon the bird, and the scene that followed 

 was surprising. Each assault was met by a fiercer 

 defence ; the bird was never beaten ; and though 

 the finger was pressed home until the Cuckoo 

 toppled backward over the nest, it rose at once, and 

 with every feather erect and wings half-spread, 

 rushed upon the retreating hand with snapping bill 

 and shrill screams of fury. Thus it would remain 

 upon a little grassy platform before the nest, rising 

 slowly with a surging motion from time to time as if 

 under the influence of recurring paroxysms of rage, 

 the feathers puffed, the breast heaving, and the bill 

 opening to snap ; then, the paroxysm past, the bird 

 would sink down slowly, spent and panting, truly 

 suffering from its own excess. As the nest was near 



