CUCKOO. 185 



he found a young Cuckoo covered by an old Titlark 

 with outstretched wings from a very heavy shower of 

 rain, while her own young ones had in the meantime 

 been expelled by the Cuckoo, and were lying lifeless 

 within two inches of her nest ; the infatuated bird thus 

 converting herself into an umbrella for the sole benefit 

 of the murderer of her own offspring. It is said that if 

 two Cuckoo's eggs are laid in the same nest, and hatched 

 out, the stronger of the two young birds will eject the 

 weaker. 



I may conclude this notice of one of our most re- 

 markable birds by quoting John Heywood's epigram, 

 dated 1587, as given in the last edition of White's 

 Selborne : 



" Use maketh maistry, this hath been said alway ; 

 But all is not alway as all men do say. 

 In April, the Koocoo can sing her song by rote ; 

 In T un e> of tune she cannot sing a note : 

 At first ' koocoo, koocoo,' sing still can she do ; 

 At last ' kooke, kooke, kooke,' six kookes to one coo." 



