THE BEE CUCKOO, OR MOROC. 125 



It would be wrong to assert as a general fact, that Cuckoos remain 

 torpid in England during winter, because half a dozen (or perhaps 

 not so many) instances are recorded of their having been found in 

 this state. \V^e are much rather led to suppose, that these accidental 

 occurrences have arisen from their being young birds, which had not 

 been strong enough to leave us at the usual time of migration, and 

 which had therefore sought for shelter and warmth in the places 

 where they have been discovered. 



It is supposed that there are more male Cuckoos than females: Mr. 

 Pennant observes, that five male birds were caught in a trap in one 

 season; and Dr. Latham says, that out of about half a dozen that he 

 had examined, chance never directed him to a female. The males 

 alone being vocal, may, however, be one cause why our specimens 

 are chiefly of this sex; their n:te directing the gunner to take aim, 

 whilst the female is secured by her silence. 



The young bird,-?, though helpless and foolish for a great length 

 of time, may be, and often are, brought up tame, so as to becorna 

 familiar. In this state they will eat bread and milk, fruits, insects, 

 eggs, and flesh either cooked or raw; but in a state of nature, they 

 are supposed to live principally on Caterpillars. When fat, they are 

 said to be as good eating as the Land-rail. 



THE BEE CUCKOO, OR MOROC. 







The Bee Cuckoo, in its external appearance, does not much differ 

 from the common Sparrow: except that it is somewhat larger, and 

 of a lighter color: it has also a yellow spot on each shoulder, and the 

 feathers of its tail are dashed with white. 



To this bird is ascribed the faculty of discovering and pointing out 

 to man, and to the quadruped called the Ratel, the nests of wild Bees. 

 It is itself exceedingly fond both of honey, and of the Bee maggots; 

 and it knows that when a nest is plundered, some of the honey must 

 fall to the ground, which consequently comes to its share; but, in gen- 

 eral, a part is purposely left by the plunderers, as a re>ward for ita 

 services. The way in which this bird communicates to others the disco- 

 very it has made, is as surprising as it is well adapted to the purpose. 



The morning and evening are its principal meal times; at least, it 

 is then that it shows the greatest inclination to come forth, anl with 

 a grating cry of cheer, cheer, cheer, to excite the attention of the Batel, 

 *s well as of the Hottentots and colonists, of whose country it is a 

 cutive. Somebody then generally repairs to the place whence tho 

 3 >und proceeds; when the bird, continually repeating its cry of cheer, 

 cheer, cheer, flies on slowly, and by degrees, towards the quarter where 

 the swarm of Bees has taken up its abode. The persons thus invited 

 accordingly follow; taking care at the same time not to frighten their 

 guide by any unusual noise, but rather to answer it now and then 

 with a soft and gentle whistle, by way of letting the bird know that 

 its call is attended to. When the Bees' nest is at some distance, the 

 bird often makes long stages or flights, waiting for its sporting com- 



