VI. 



THE CUCKOO. 



*~PHE cuckoo is now making himself heard in most of the 

 Himalayan hill stations. I must confess that this 

 bird is a particular favourite of mine, for not only is his 

 note most homely and cheerful, but he is in every way a 

 most interesting animal. The cuckoo is the biggest villain 

 in the feathered world ; and we must all admit that there is 

 something fascinating about wickedness, especially when it 

 assumes a picturesque form. The villainy of the cuckoo 

 is more than picturesque, it is thorough-going and consist- 

 ent. This bold bad bird has no relapses into a moral life ; 

 he knows no periods of repentance. He begins his days 

 with a sin and passes through life steeped in iniquity. 

 He commences operations by a foul murder, and follows 

 this up by a life of unparalleled duplicity and deceit, yet he 

 is always cheerful. A bird that can laughingly call out 

 "cuckoo, cuckoo "at 2 a. m. in the pouring rain cannot 

 be cursed with a conscience. The cuckoo is a living 

 example of the truth that the wicked flourish like a green 

 bay tree. 



The cheery note, which we all delight to hear, is the 

 voice of the male, whereby he informs his mate of his 

 whereabouts. The cuckoos' mode of life renders such a 

 call note most necessary, for they are outlaws. Their hand 

 is upraised against all other birds, and in return the other 

 birds, especially the smaller ones, literally mob them. 

 Hence it often happens that the cock-bird becomes separat- 

 ed from his spouse and desires to inform her of his where- 

 abouts. The cuckoo after his own fashion leads an orderly 



