THE CUCKOOS AND THE OUTWITTED COW-BIRD 53 



tute they would prove on toast for the bobo- 

 links which as " reed-birds " are sacrificed by the 

 thousands to the delectable satisfaction of those 

 "fine-mouthed and daintie wantons who set such 

 store by their tooth"! 



And what the cow-bird is, so is the Continental 

 " cuckoo." Shall we not discriminate in our 

 employment of the superlative ? What of the 

 throstle and the lark? Shall we still sing all 

 together : 



" O cuckoo ! I hear thee and rejoice ! 

 Thrice welcome darling of the spring." 



