86 THE RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST. 



without any other colour, but if you put your glass upon 

 them when near, you will find they shine with splendid 

 iridescent colours of purple and green. The young bird is 

 a dark greyish-brown, and in earlier times was supposed 

 to be a different species, and described as the "solitary 

 thrush." The wing-feathers of the young starling are much 

 used for making certain artificial flies. 



The bird is often called the Stare, which is supposed to 

 be derived from the Anglo-Saxon word staer. It is also 

 in some counties, from its habit of perching on the backs 

 of sheep, called the Shepstare or Shepster. 



It is an early nester, building in the holes of trees, often 

 taking the hole made by the woodpecker, or ousting the 

 sparrow from under the eaves of buildings. The male bird 

 assiduously attends its mate when she is sitting, and, as 

 Fawkes says, "whistles curious notes of love." 



It often imitates the voice of other birds, particularly 

 when kept in confinement. When disturbed or angry, it 

 makes a curious croaking noise, somewhat similar to the 

 note of the corncrake. 



THE CUCKOO. 



In some parts of England, the CUCKOO (Cuculus canorus), 

 of the family Cuculidce, has the provincial name of Gawky. 

 In Scotland and the north of England it is known as the 

 Gowk. In the last edition of Yarrel's " British Birds," 

 Professor Newton has gone back to the old way of spelling 

 the name, viz., Cuckow. 



The cuckoo's first notes are hailed by all, and especi- 

 ally by springtide fishermen, as a certain sign that dreary 

 winter is over, to be replaced by balmy breezes, flowery 

 meads, and songs of birds, making "all nature gay." 



We should sadly miss this bird if ever he became a 

 stranger among us ; when we hear him in the distant 

 wood, or see him as he flies across the river close by us, 

 we know our time is come again : 



" The merry cuckoo, messenger of spring, 

 His trumpet shrill has thrice already sounded." 



