XIV. 



THE CUCKOO. 



IT is probable that no bird has excited more 

 general interest among all peoples and in all 

 ages than the common cuckoo, so-called to 

 distinguish our familiar European species from 

 others of its family. Folk-tales and stories, 

 poetry and superstition, in all tongues testify 

 unmistakably to the hold that it has taken on 

 the popular imagination ; nor is this to be 

 wondered at when its remarkable life-story is 

 considered. The musical and distinctive call- 

 note which heralds its arrival at its breeding 

 stations coincides with the long looked-for 

 approach of summer, and has given to it its 

 name in the language of practically every country 

 which it visits. In German Kukuk, French 

 coucou, Dutch koekoek> Gaelic cubhag or cuag, 

 Latin cuculus, Greek KOKKV%, Sanskrit koka ; 

 these are only some of the instances that might 

 be mentioned. Our Scottish name of gowk 

 may possibly be derived from the Gaelic, but 



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