CUCULID^E. 129 



CUCULELE. CUCKOOS. 



This family, containing many species, inhabits warm and 

 temperate regions. Most of the family are migratory, and 

 few build nests for themselves : they subsist upon insects 

 and fruits. Three species are claimed as British, although 

 in the instances of two, this claim can only rest upon very 

 occasional visits. 



GEEAT SPOTTED CUCKOO. Cuculus glandarins. About 

 Christmas 1843, a specimen of this species was taken near 

 Clifden, in the county of Galway. It was pursued by Hawks, 

 and sought refuge in a hole in a stone fence, from whence it 

 was taken alive, and lived four days. It was presented to 

 Trinity College, Dublin, "and is now," says Mr. Yarrell, 

 " in the Museum." This bird inhabits Senegal and North 

 Africa. It is stated that a male and female were found near 

 Pisa, in Italy, where they made their nest, laying four eggs, 

 which they sat on, and hatched. Of the character of its 

 nest, or the colour of its eggs, we can at present give no 

 account. 



THE COMMON CUCKOO. Cuculus canorus. The Cuckoo 

 arrives in Britain in April ; the old birds leaving again by 

 the beginning of July, and the young departing in August. 



