5 8 THE BIRDS OF DORSET. 



flushed from its nest, it will, like many other birds 

 when they have young, feign to be wounded or 

 winged. When on the feed at dusk, it shows the 

 greatest activity and power of wing, wheeling and 

 skimming over the surface of a piece of water with 

 the rapidity and gracefulness of a swallow. Owing 

 to its owl-like aspect, it often falls a victim to the 

 gamekeeper's gun. Pulteney states that it has been 

 killed in Dorsetshire as late as October. 



FAM. CUCDLID^E. 

 CUCKOO. Cuculus canorus, L. 



Yarrell, ii. p. 387 ; Hartmy, p. 34 ; Dresser, v. p. 199 ; Seebohm, 

 ii. p. 378 ; Ibis List, p. 83 ; Pulteneijs List, p. 5. 



The Cuckoo is a well - known summer visitant, 

 arriving punctually almost to a day. With us it is 

 Wareham Fair- day. I found a young Cuckoo in 

 June 1886 occupying a Robin's nest at the foot of 

 a gate-post, Robin's eggs lying outside on the 

 ground. The gate was much in use at the time, 

 passengers and waggons continually passing through. 

 I once flushed a Cuckoo on the sea -coast in the 

 month of November. 



