i;2 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 

 Family CUCULID^E. Genus CUCULUS. 



CUCKOO. 



CUCULUS CANORUS, Linnaus. 



Single Brooded. Laying season, end of May to beginning of 



July. 



BRITISH BREEDING AREA : The Cuckoo breeds more 

 or less commonly throughout the British Islands, includ- 

 ing the Hebrides, the Orkneys, and the Shetlands. 



BREEDING HABITS : The Cuckoo arrives in the 

 southern portions of our islands about the middle of 

 April, but is nearly a fortnight later in the more 

 northern districts. It may be met with in every kind of 

 haunt, from the low-lying broads, the woodlands, and 

 rich agricultural districts, to the wild, upland moorlands 

 and even the rocky, wind-swept summits of the moun- 

 tains. Wherever small insectivorous birds are breeding 

 the Cuckoo may almost with certainty be found. I am 

 of opinion that the Cuckoo pairs annually, each pair 

 remaining together until the complement of eggs is 

 deposited. I am fully aware that this statement is 

 contrary to the expressed opinions of other naturalists ; 

 but it is based upon much careful observation ; whilst 

 many of the remarks and opinions published on the 

 matter of the Cuckoo's sexual instincts are unmitigated 

 nonsense. It is said that the birds return yearly to the 

 same locality, but of this I can say nothing from experi- 

 ence. The Cuckoo does not make any nest, but lays 

 her egg upon the ground, and then carries it in her mouth 

 to the nest of some srnall insectivorous bird who plays 

 the part of foster-parent to her offspring. The eggs of 

 the Cuckoo have been found in a great variety of nests, 

 usually an open one, and those of the Hedge Accentor, 



