THE BIRD-LIFE OF LONDON 



to the contrary I flatly refuse to believe that the Cuckoo 

 has ever reached England in March unless a specimen be 

 actually shot and identified by some competent authority. 

 Every year, like the sea-serpent and the big gooseberry, 

 the Cuckoo question becomes acute for a week or so, until 

 April brings the dear little stranger without further doubt 

 or controversy. Fortunately he begins his song almost at 

 once, and as the birds wander about a good deal upon their 

 arrival the welcome note is frequently heard in most 

 unlikely spots. The note is too well known to require 

 uescription here, but I may say that it is unquestionably 

 dttered by the male alone, often during flight, is con- 

 tinued with great persistency through May, begins to fall 

 off in June, and finally ceases in July. Towards the end 

 of the singing period the cry very often consists of three 

 notes, the'first syllable being repeated. The note of the 

 female is a peculiar sound, something like that made by 

 water bubbling from a bottle. The Cuckoo is seldom 

 seen in company except during the laying season, and only 

 occasionally visits the ground, spending most of its time 

 in the trees. It may sometimes be seen flying from one 

 tree to another across the open fields or along the hedge- 

 sides, and it will be noted that the flight is rapid and 

 buoyant, the wings beating rapidly and the long tail closed 

 and held horizontally. After alighting the bird frequently 

 expands its fan-shaped tail, dips its body, and utters a 

 chattering cry. Upon the ground its short legs render its 

 movements awkward, and it progresses in short leaps or 

 hops. The food of the Cuckoo consists chiefly of insects 

 and larvae, many of which it obtains amongst the foliage ; 

 the larvae of the Dunker Moth and the Oak-egger are 

 much sought. The young are fed on insects, worms, 

 and grubs, the food of their foster-parents. There is 

 much in the economy of the Cuckoo of profound interest, 

 and -bearing on some of the most puzzling of biological 

 questions, which, however, it is impossible to deal with 

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