THE CUCKOO. 175 



Of their being found in a torpid state. 



heard the voice of a cuckoo, chirping three time* 

 from under the stove. Wondering at so extra- 

 ordinary a cry in winter time, the servants dre\v 

 the willow logs from the furnace, and in the 

 midst of one of them saw something move ; when 

 taking an ax, they opened the hole, and, thrust- 

 ing in their hands, first they plucked out nothing 

 but feathers; afterwards they got hold of a liv- 

 ing animal, and this was the cuckoo that the fire 

 had waked. It was, indeed, brisk and lively, but 

 wholly naked and bare of feathers, and without 

 any winter provision in its hole. This cuckoo 

 the boys kept two years afterwards, alive in the 

 stove." 



Mr. Bewick informs us upon good authority, 

 that a few years ago a young cuckoo was found 

 in a torpid state, in the thickest part of a close 

 furze-bush. When taken up, it soon exhibited 

 signs of life, but was quite destitute of feathers. 

 Being kept warm, and carefully fed, it grew and 

 recovered its coat. In the spring following it 

 made its escape ; and in flying across the river 

 Tyne was heard to give its usual call. 



To assert as a general fact, that the cuckoos 

 remain torpid in this country during the winter, 

 because half a dozen (or perhaps not so many) 

 instances are recorded of their having been found 

 in this state, would be both presumptuous and 

 absurd. It is very probable that these accidental 

 occurrences have arisen probably from their 

 being young birds that had not been strong 



