THE BIRDS OF RAINHAM. 47 



HOOPOE. 

 Upupa epops, Linn. 



The Hoopoe has upon two occasions at least, been 

 met with in my district, once in the spring of the 

 year, and the other in the autumn, both times near 

 trees on the border of the marsh. A third Hoopoe 

 is said to have been seen this spring, 1894. I have 

 never had the pleasure of meeting with one myself. 



NUTHATCH. 

 Sitta cczsia, Wolf. 



As in the case of the Green Woodpecker, we have 

 no forest trees to encourage the Nuthatch. I have 

 only twice seen it, on both occasions in the spring of 

 the year in our orchards ; I was attracted by the 

 very peculiar note or sound which the bird made. 

 Staying about a fortnight it kept repeating the same 

 continuously, and meeting with no response flew 

 away. 



CUCKOO. 

 Cuculus canorus. Linn. 



Everybody, when the time of year comes round, 

 is on the look out for the Cuckoo ; they never are or 

 can be deceived ; with us, as a rule, but not invariably, 

 it comes three days after the Nightingale. They are 

 thinly scattered in my district, a pair taking possession 

 of some two miles of country which they appear to keep 



