ii8 FRESH WOODS. 



" Oh, cuckoo ! shall I call the bird, 



Or but a wandering voice ? 

 While I am lying on the grass 



Thy loud note smites my ear ! 

 From hill to hill it seems to pass, 



At once far off and near." 



With reference to the cuckoo, the old saw 

 used to run 



" The cuckoo sings in April, 

 The cuckoo sings in May, 



The cuckoo sings in July, 

 But only on the day." 



Gilbert White says he is first heard about 

 April 7, and last on June 28. Bewick says, 

 " The well-known cry of the male is com- 

 monly heard about the middle of April, and 

 ceases at the end of June." 



P.S. I regret to conclude this letter by 

 saying that circumstances were too strong 

 for us. We did not go a-fishing on Jubilee 

 day. 



