THE CUCKOO. 



tree, and after amusing themselves in this way, 

 flew off to their various haunts. 



The tree so completely acquired the name of 

 the bird, that the fruit it bore came to be distin- 

 guished from the other produce of the orchard, 

 as apples from the cuckoo-tree. At length the 

 fall of the venerable tree was decreed. It was 

 cut down a few years since ; and from that time, 

 no such flocks of cuckoos have congregated there. 

 The cuckoo-note is still heard in the orchard, 

 and the birds have evidently not deserted the 

 neighbourhood ; but the fall of their tristing-tree 

 seems to have broken the charm which gathered 

 them to one spot. 



THE CUCKOO'S SONG. 



Cuckoo ! cuckoo ! cuckoo ! I cry : 



I come to tell that the paths are dry : 



I come to tell that the frost is gone, 



And a cheerful time is coming on ; 



For the wint'ry storms are heard no more, 



And the smiling spring stands at the door ; 



And radiant skies, and balmy showers, 



Will cover the fields with leaves and flowers. 



Cuckoo! cuckoo! cuckoo! I sing; 

 And welcome news to the land I bring. 

 I have flown afar, over earth and sea, 

 In England's pleasant vallies to be, 



i 2 



