102 CUCULID.E. 



During the first days of August, in 1852, we were gratified 

 by observing twenty or thirty cuckoos unusually grouped to- 

 gether, with willow warblers and other migratory species, in 

 the vicinity of the old ruined church, which adds so much to 

 the picturesque, on the small island of Ireland's Eye. On one 

 or two occasions they uttered their call- note, but with such a 

 gruff, hoarse intonation, as almost to have dispelled our esteem 

 for the species. This unusual assemblage of so many birds 

 argued some preparation for the u great flight." 



In the " Book of Rights"* we find a curious notice of 

 the cuckoo, in one of the commands of the sages of the nation 

 to the King of Cashel, wherein he is directed " to plunder 

 the cattle of Cruachan when the cuckoo sings ;" in all pro- 

 bability the cattle being at that time in the best condition, 

 and more fitted for a profitable foray. 



Musical as is the call of the cuckoo, it is never more curious 

 than when heard at midnight, coming from the depths of 

 some neighbouring wood or plantation with a harsh guttural 

 intonation, very different from the pleasing manner in which 

 it is generally heard. A species well known to the earliest 

 writers on the subject, Pliny bears testimony to the fact of 

 the delicious flavour of the flesh, so much so that no bird 

 could compare with it. 



Habitat Northern Africa. 



SPECIES 100 THE GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO. 



Cuculus glandarius. Linn. 

 Coucou geai. Temm. 



THIS fine species, of which a single authenticated specimen 

 has occurred in the British isles, was obtained in Ireland 

 during the month of March, 1842, and now graces the col- 

 lection of native birds in the Museum of Trinity College, 

 Dublin. 



The only information we can give of this rarity is the fol- 

 lowing note, furnished to Mr. Thompson by Mr. Ball, from 

 the correspondence of the gentleman who obtained it : 

 u The cuckoo, pursued by hawks, was taken by two per- 

 sons walking on the island of Omagh. It flew into a hole 

 in a stone, or fence, or wall ; was caught alive, and lived four 

 days on potatoes and water. The inhabitants of this country 

 had never seen any bird like it before, and, as they are con- 

 stantly in the habit of fishing at Bonn and Arran island, if 



* Leabhap na -Cecrpc. 



