CUCKOO. 47 



under side of the tail. The black-billed cuckoo is 

 a plainer bird, its only striking peculiarity being 

 its bright red eyelids. 



You will do well to remember the rhythm of 

 the cuckoo's notes. It may save you an experi- 

 ence I had one fall. I supposed the birds had 

 left for the South, but hearing a regular kuk-kuk- 

 kuk coming from the woods, and being especially 

 anxious to study the cuckoo's habits, I left the 

 raspberry patch where I was watching for rare 

 warblers, and hurried off in search of the wander- 

 ing voice. What a treat ! to be able to see a 

 cuckoo after all ! I crept along with scrupulous 

 care, begrudging the time my caution cost me, but 

 determined not to lose this last chance. What if 

 he should fly off before I could get there ! But 

 no I began to exult kuk-kuk-kuk came loud 

 and clear as I stopped to listen for the direction 

 of the sound. I must be almost up to him. Oh, 

 that I could sweep all the noisy dead leaves into 

 the ditch ! I look about anxiously for moss and 

 old logs to step on. There ! Grasping my note- 

 book in one hand, with the other I raise my glass. 

 A mischievous looking chipmunk, sitting erect on 

 top of a mossy stump, suddenly jumps off into 

 the leaves and the sound stops ! 



