100 CUCULID^:. 



The number of eggs sometimes found in their nests might 

 almost exceed belief. We have ourselves obtained as many 

 as eleven and thirteen, and, by some authors, fourteen and 

 eighteen have been observed in one nest. 



Well known for the persecution it receives on St. Stephen's 

 day, the following reason has been assigned by Mr. and Mrs. 

 Hall, in their work on Ireland : 



" It is traditionally said, that, in the ' ould ancient times,' 

 when the native Irish were about to catch their Danish ene- 

 mies asleep, a wren perched upon the drum, and woke the 

 slumbering sentinels just in time to save the entire army; 

 consequently the little bird was proclaimed a traitor, outlawed, 

 and his life declared forfeit whenever he was encountered." 



On that day half the parish turn out to " hunt the wran," 

 which, when obtained, is secured to an ivy bush, decorated 

 with ribands, and carried about by a crowd of urchins, for 

 the purpose of obtaining money, each shouting lustily the fol- 

 lowing lines : 



" The wran, the wran, the king of all birds, 

 St. Stephen's Day was cot in the furze ; 

 Although he is little, his family's grate, 

 Put your hand in your pocket, and give us a trate. 

 Sing holly, sing ivy, sing holly, sing ivy, 

 A drop just to drink it would drown melancholy; 

 And if you dhraw it of the best, 

 I hope in heaven yer sowl will rest ; 

 But if you dhraw it ov the small, 

 It won't agree wid the wran-boys at all." 



Indigenous. 



FAMILY XVIL CUCULID^ (CUCKOOS). 



GENUS L. CUCULUS (CUCKOO). 

 SPECIES 99 THE CUCKOO. 



Cuculus canorus. Linn. 

 Coucou gris. Temm. 



INTERESTING as are many of our native birds, few claim the 

 same notice as the summer-loving cuckoo. True, we may 

 cherish the redbreast and wren as intimate companions for 

 their attendance in our vicinity, and select the swallow and 

 martin of all others for the confidence they repose in man ; 

 yet to all classes, either the shepherd on the hill- side, or the 

 confined artisan on his Sunday ramble, the almost magic call- 

 note of this bird is the most prized. 



