THE CUCKOO. 75 



Anis, are American. The Jacamars are nearly 

 allied to the Kingfishers, living, however, on in- 

 sects instead of fish, and huilding on low branches 

 in the depth of dark and damp forests, instead of 

 in holes by the water-side. The Anis, like the 

 Jacamars, frequent the woods, but seem to be of a 

 much more social nature. If taken young, they 

 may be easily tamed, and even taught to speak some 

 words. Amongst themselves, too, they are the most 

 friendly birds imaginable, for they not only fly in 

 flocks, but lay and sit, many pairs together, in one 

 large nest, built by joint consent for the whole party. 

 Future travellers, we doubt not, will be able to relate 

 many interesting anecdotes of these sociable, happy 

 birds, but at present little more is known about them 

 than what we have related. 



Not so, however, of our British cuneiform birds, 

 our Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, and Wrynecks. Every- 

 body's attention is drawn to the first, whether he 

 will or no. For as soon as the Winter is well over, and 

 " April showers prepare the way for May flowers," 

 we hear the Cuckoo's note. It would be difficult to 

 say whether we should call them solitary birds or 

 not. Usually, indeed, one only is seen; but not . 

 unfrequently three, four, or even more, will assemble 

 upon a tree, and make the air resound with their 

 w r ell-known notes, uttered sometimes as they remain 

 perched, at others as they quiver through the air with 

 an odd sort of wild fluttering flight. It appears, 

 however, from good evidence, that they either quit 

 their Winter-quarters together, or falling in with 

 each other on the journey, land in little flocks. 

 Some years ago, at dawn of day, early in the Spring, 



