CUCKOO. l8l 



But when this gaping monster hath found strength 

 To shift without a helper, she at length, 

 Not caring for the tender care that bred her, 

 Forgets her parent, kills the bird that fed her." 



The times and seasons of the Cuckoo have been aptly 

 described in the doggrel : 



" In April 

 Come he will ; 

 In May 



He sings all day ; 

 In June 



He alters his tune ; 

 In July 



He prepares to fly ; 

 Come August, 

 Go he must." 



The Cuckoo's well-known song is nearly always in a 

 minor third ; but in some birds the key is much higher 

 than in others. When several birds are singing in the 

 same neighbourhood, the effect is, therefore, often very 

 curious. Besides his " Cuckoo " song, the male has a 

 harsh note which has been written down as "quawawa," 

 or " haghaghaghag." The female has a laughing note, 

 " quickwickwick," or " kickikickicki," as my friend, the 

 late Mr. Rathborne, of Dunsinea, a great authority on 

 such matters, always had it. When the male " alters his 

 tune," it is for " cu cu cu cu," and it is said that he will 

 approach, if mimicked well by some careful observer. 



I do not think that I ever heard the Cuckoo's note 

 under such pleasing circumstances, or was so favourably 

 impressed with it, as when visiting the fine valley of 

 Glen-na-smeoil (the Valley of the Thrush) a few years 



